The police museum was set up in the 1980's to explain and illustrate Northern Ireland's unique and often contentious policing history. Our collection includes police uniforms, equipment, medals and archives from the early 1800's to the present day and also weapons used against the police over the years.
To add a personal touch, visitors are personally shown round by the Curator, which takes about 40 minutes.
What can be found at the venue?
Records or archive, Collection of artifacts, Library
Related crime and punishment profession / organisation
Police
Significant collections relating to regional crime and punishment organisation or to a particular individual
The museum has displays of police uniforms and equipment, medals and archives as well as displays of terrorist weapons used against police over the years.
Does the venue have an online collections catalogue?
Details of opening for public access and / or research services
The museum is open to the public from 10am until 4:30pm from Monday to Friday, although we recommend that you pre-arrange your visit to avoid disappointment. We welcome groups of up to 20 and can also arrange evening visits. If you are unable to visit the museum, our staff are happy to give talks and presentations to outside groups or take museum displays out to events.
Charges: [free? / not given]
The museum is the base for The Police Historical Society (N.I.) which promotes and encourages research into police history in general. The society holds monthly meetings from October to April in the Northern Ireland Police College on subjects of interest and produces a regular museum magazine with articles and features on police history. If you would like to know more about the society please contact the museum at museum@psni.police.uk
The museum has a reference library and archive which allows visitors to find information on ancestors who served in the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and early Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). Academic researchers are welcome to use the museum’s archive of police records from the 1840's onwards. Museum staff are able to provide some genealogy information from service records. They can search for individuals and supply their service record at a charge of £25 per search.
Accessibility and disability arrangements / Covid requirements
The police museum is located in a former sergeant's married quarters at Police Headquarters, Brooklyn. Displays are located on ground level and are fully accessible for all.
