The Museum of Policing in Devon and Cornwall – a registered charity – collects, preserves and celebrates local policing history and heritage dating back as far as 1790.
The collection, which is made up of thousands of artefacts, documents and photographs, is owned and funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC). It is believed to be largest collection of policing memorabilia in the country.
Public access to it is limited due to much of it being kept in working police stations. It was originally housed at Middlemoor Police Station in Exeter and was then moved to Okehampton Police Station in 2004.
A mini-museum has been established in Tavistock’s Court Gate and is open on selected days from spring to early autumn. During the winter, viewing is by prior appointment or for special events in the town.
Archive material is held at the Devon Heritage Centre, in Exeter, and has helped many families find out fascinating information about their ancestors.
Throughout the year, the museum is asked to give talks and set up exhibitions at different venues or gives special access for events such as Heritage Open Days.
Funding from the OPCC and Devon & Cornwall Police is enabling the museum to digitalise the collection to preserve policing history for many generations to come.
The museum is run by a small team, including dedicated trustees and volunteers.
- To watch a short film which showcases the Museum of Policing in Devon and Cornwall please visit – The Story of the Museum of Policing in Devon & Cornwall
- To read an OPCC news story about the museum, please click here
- For more information about the Devon and Cornwall Police Archive, please click here
- To visit the website of the museum, please click here