San Diego Police Museum

In 2009, the San Diego Police Museum in San Diego, California received a new space at 4710 College Avenue for their collections and historical displays. The museum is open Wednesday through Friday 12pm to 4pm, and Saturdays 10am to 2pm. Admission is free, though the museum accepts donations to help them keep their doors open.

Exhibits will range from badges, artifacts from PSA Flight 182, 1932 Justice list, America's deadliest criminals, the Hub Loan Shootout, McDonalds Massacre, and several other important events in police history that have strengthened and formed the San Diego Police Department.

San Diego was founded in 1769, though it would take more than 100 years for the town to form a police department like it has today. With lawlessness running rampant throughout the town it was decided a small police force would need to be formed, thus Antonio Gonzales named himself chief founding the first police company in 1838. In 1850 a charter was based for a San Diego Marshal. However, it was not until the 1860s that law in San Diego took a step forward with a jail near City hall. Much of this history can be learned on a visit to the San Diego Police Museum.