The 1882 City Charter established an executive branch of municipal government consisting of the Mayor, the City Comptroller, City Treasurer, Commissioner of Public Works, and Commissioner of Police and Public Buildings. This structure remained in effect until the adoption of the 1912 City Charter.

The Commissioner of Police and Public Buildings was in charge of Houses of Refuge and Corrections, pounds, and cemeteries and lighting of the city and "such other functions and duties as may be prescribed by the Council." He also had general superintendence of the school houses, markets, slaughterhouses, prisons, police stations, jails, work-house, asylums, hospitals and all courts and public buildings except the City Hall (which fell under the control of the Mayor and executive officers).

The Commissioner was required to submit a monthly report to the mayor of "the full details and workings of his department." Along with the Comptroller, Treasurer, and Commissioner of Public Works, the Commissioner of Police and Public Buildings was entitled to a seat on floor of Council during sessions and enjoyed the right to debate and discuss all matters having reference to their respective departments; however, they had no right to vote or otherwise participate in the proceedings of the Council.

The men who served as Commissioner of Police and Public Buildings were:

C. Taylor Gauche (1892-1896)
John W. Murphy (1896-1900)
Frank E. Bishop (1900-1904)
Alex Pujol (1904-1912)