Early law enforcement in San Antonio, from the alguacils
of the Villa de San Fernando de Bexar, to the Texas Rangers,
vigilantes, and City Marshals of early San Antonio.
The Department acquires automobiles, motorcycles, radios
and other technology, establishes a Training Academy, and
becomes a professional, modern police organization.
SAPD enters the era of Civil Service. City population
expands and the Department grows in manpower and
modern technology.
SAPD enters an era of Community Partnerships made possible through
decentralization of services and accountability at all levels.
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PART ONE :
THE EARLY YEARS : 1718-1900
LEFT: View of "Bat House" Courthouse & Jail, served as
City Marshal's HQ until 1890s.
RIGHT: Uniformed San
Antonio Police Officers c.1900
PART TWO :
EARLY 20th CENTURY :1900 - 1950
LEFT: The San Antonio Police and Fire Building, built
in 1915. Served as Police Headquarters until 1962.
RIGHT: Traffic Police on motorcycle, c. 1934.
PART THREE :
SAPD AT MID CENTURY :
1950 - 1980
LEFT: New SAPD Headquarters on Nueva Street - Original
1962 one-story building.
RIGHT : SAPD Laboratory Car and Equipment, c. 1960.
PART FOUR :
SAPD PREPARES FOR
THE 21st CENTURY : 1980 - 2000
SAPD in the 1990s.
LEFT: New Central Substation, opened in 1996.
RIGHT : Bike Patrol Officers in front of the Alamo.
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