Photo of San Diego Police Captain Bartholomew Moriarty, 'Chief' Gonzales, who claimed to be the first policeman (age 101 in photo), and Chief J. Keno Wilson. The San Diego Police Department was established in 1889, headquartered in City Hall at Fifth and G. Several moves later, the department moved to Dead Man's Point in 1939, 801 W. Market, named for its use as a burial place for sailors and marines during the charting and surveying of San Diego Bay. It remained there until 1987 when it moved into its headquarters at 1401 Broadway.