The Norfolk Police Museum

The Norfolk Police Department, established in 1797, is one of the oldest in the United States and has enjoyed an illustrious history of service. However, without our dedicated people, NPD would have no history! The Norfolk Police Museum, established in 1919, is the oldest museum in Norfolk. Its purpose is to document and preserve the history of NPD and those who have served the department.

Located in the Police Administration Building, 100 Brooke Avenue, on display are extensive exhibits of early photographs, uniforms, badges, patches, firearms, handcuffs, and other equipment used by the police department from its inception until now. Also, the museum maintains a permanent memorial to our fallen officers, hand crafted by NPD friend and Norfolk resident, Bill Callahan. Items of interest related to the police department and to individual police officers, present and past, are always welcome additions to the museum collection.

The museum is an unfunded unit of the department. The Norfolk Police Historical Exposition (NPHE) is a small, non-profit corporation whose sole function is the financial and logistical support of the museum. All NPHE members are volunteers. Performing the role of museum commander is a captain, appointed by and reporting to the Chief of Police. A team of professionals serving as curator and historian conduct research for the department and provide overall management of the museum and its extensive collection.

The curator and historian, who both donate their time, diligently work to document the careers of individual officers. Fortunately, the museum has an extensive collection of documents, photos, and artifacts that are associated with individual officers. Thousands of photographs comprise the museum collection, dating back to the 1890s. After years of intensive effort to identify individuals in the photos, many remain unidentified, even in photos from the 1950s. In addition, there are officers who have served with no surviving evidence of their tenure. Sadly, their individual history and that portion of NPD history are lost. The curator and historian frequently receive inquiries about former officers. When documented, an inquiry about someone’s great-grandfather can usually be answered quickly.

While the museum is open to the public and visitors are welcome, it also serves the NPD family. If unable to visit the museum during the normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, call the curator at (757) 423-6592. Special arrangements will be made to open the museum for the public at other reasonable times and for NPD family members just about anytime, including nights, weekends, or holidays.