The Police Museum dates back to 1932 when the SAP College, a depot at that time, started it on a small scale. The items on display mainly included instruments used in the commission of crime, exhibits in important and sensational criminal cases and other items connected with crime. The museum mainly served as an aid in the training of police students.

The Police Museum was officially opened on 23 September 1968 and is currently housed in the Compol Building. The displays were initially not augmented and the curator and his personnel devoted all their time to collecting items of historical value.

The curator and museum officers began to plan new exhibitions and more personnel were consequently appointed. The new exhibitions included a display of the police uniforms, insignia and medals; an exhibition of the modes of transport used by the police; and various photographic exhibitions.

The museum has depicted historic crime scenes, and socio-historical scenes, with a great degree of accuracy over the years. The museum became famous for its monthly night tours that were available to the public, during which the museum staff staged dramatized enactments of certain historic events. Puppet shows were held to educate children. The museum has amassed a unique collection of exhibits and dockets pertaining to the political struggle in South Africa.

International Museum Day is celebrated annually on 18 May. The Police Museum arranged the celebrations for Museum Day in 1995. The staff of the Police Museum, the National Museum of Cultural History, Melrose House, the Pretoria Art Museum and the Transvaal Museum participated in a procession through the streets of Pretoria and the public was allowed free entrance to these museums. The Police Museum conducted a night tour which coincided with the opening of new displays. The tour formed part of the Restructuring and Development Programme and was attended by Mr Tokyo Sexwale, the then Premier of Gauteng.

THE POLICE MUSEUM IS CURRENTLY CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE FOR RENOVATION. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL sapsmuseum@saps.org.za

Thibault Main Entrance
Pretorius Street
Private Bag x 94
PRETORIA
0001

Phone: 012 301 5260