Police Heritage Museum

Police Museum, a museum established in Ankara, Turkey.

It was established on 9 April 2021 as a private museum in the Ayrancı neighborhood of Çankaya district, Ankara, under the General Directorate of Security Social Services and Health Department.

History

During the Ottoman period, the first Police Museum was planned in 1911 within the Dersaadet (Istanbul) Police School. However, due to war conditions, the work was suspended, and it was understood from the examination of documents and records that the clothing and equipment collected in 1917 were exhibited at the Istanbul Directorate. The efforts to open a Police Museum that began during the World War I years were completed 104 years later with the opening of the Police Museum as a private museum on 9 April 2021 under the General Directorate of Security, Social Services and Health Department.

The phases the Police Organization has undergone from the Ottoman Empire to the present day, the ways the police have pursued crime fighting while ensuring internal security, the events that occurred, and the equipment used are exhibited.

Collection

The museum consists of 6 sections. In exhibition areas A, B and C, which narrate the place of the Turkish Police organization in history, old period uniforms, the formation of the Ottoman police organization, models of Ottoman police stations, a chronology of police history, important police officers who have served, police novels in Turkish literature, the first fingerprint, the establishment of the first bicycle cavalry unit and weapons are displayed. In addition, hyper‑realistic silicone mannequins, reenactments, accessories, model dioramas, documentaries, historic and contemporary police motorcycles, police cars, and a police helicopter are also present in the museum, along with 56 historic and current uniforms and clothing.

In section D of the museum there are crime and bomb disposal simulation areas, a presentation of police dogs, an area arranged for traffic rules education, a traffic rules game, a souvenir sales section, a police library and social areas. In section E there are current police equipment, uniforms, items and badges belonging to police officers who died on duty, the 15 July area, historical documents, historical photographs and gifts from foreign state police organizations. In section F armored police vehicles are exhibited in an open area.

The museum provides free service on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00.