The San Francisco Police Department began operations on August 13, 1849 during the Gold Rush under the command of Captain Malachi Fallon. At the time, Chief Fallon had a force of one deputy captain, three sergeants, and thirty officers. In 1851, Albert Bernard de Russailh wrote about the nascent San Francisco police force: On October 28, 1853, the Board of Aldermen passed Ordinance No. 466, which provided for the reorganization of the police department. Sections one and two provided as follows: The People of the City of San Francisco do ordain as follows: