Collection includes both material generated by the San Francisco Police Department and Mullen's research files and correspondence relating to the history of the department's operations and personnel.

Kevin J. Mullen was born in San Francisco in 1935 and joined the San Francisco Police Department in 1959. He rose through the ranks and worked as head of Field Operations at the time of the 1979 White Night riots. He retired in 1986 as deputy chief. Following retirement, he published several books about the history of policing and crime in San Francisco. He died in Novato, California in 2011.

19 cartons

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.