The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) celebrated its 136th birthday with a Changing of the Guard ceremony on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in front of SDPD Headquarters in Downtown. The ceremony included a speech from Police Chief Scott Wahl, who is the 36th police chief in SDPD’s history and a second-generation member of the department.

A Changing of the Guard ceremony consists of the passage of golden handcuffs from the most senior sworn member of the department to its most junior. Detective Sgt. Lawrence Cahill, who has been with SDPD for more than 39 years and retires this June, passed the ceremonial handcuffs to Officer Anthony Obregon, who graduated from the police academy this past March and is a second-generation San Diego Police Officer.

The ceremony also included the passage of the department’s flag from its most senior professional staff member to its most junior. Special Events Traffic Controller Cynthia Flores, who has been with SDPD for 40 years, passed the department’s flag to Dispatcher Catherine Dobbs, who is a second-generation SDPD member.

The San Diego Police Department was formally established in May 1889 with a focus on solely fighting crime. Over the years, the department has evolved and continually strives to advance to the highest levels of public safety, trust and professionalism by strengthening community partnerships.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Councilmember and Public Safety Committee Chair Marni von Wilpert and Council District 3 Councilmember Stephen Whitburn were also in attendance for the celebration.