The San Diego, California, Police Department (SDPD) patch presents a dark blue shield with gold lettering. Within the gold border is the city’s seal with symbols that speak to San Diego’s founding by the Spanish. A mission bell recalls that the city was the site of the first Spanish mission in California. Twin pillars—found on the Spanish royal coat of arms and representing strength and integrity—and the Spanish caravel further highlight the city’s ties to the Age of Exploration. Two dolphins symbolize the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans as San Diego was the first port of call in the United States for travelers passing westward through the Panama Canal. The orange tree stands for the rich agricultural heritage of Southern California, and the winged wheels—which originally stood for manufacturing and transportation—have come to represent the SDPD’s commitment to safe travel within the city.