Glasgow Police Museum is alive and well

The Glasgow Police were Britain’s oldest police force.  The first attempts to establish a police force for Glasgow were made as far back as 1779 but it wasn’t until the Glasgow Police Act was passed in 1800 that a permanent force was established.  The newly formed force, consisting of three sergeants, six police officers and 68 watchmen mustered for the first time in the Laigh Church, Trongate on 15 November 1800.

For the following 175 years the City of Glasgow Police served the city.  The force was finally disbanded on 15 May 1975 when it was amalgamated with other forces to form Strathclyde Police.

The Glasgow Police Museum tells the story of this police force.  You can view

  • displays of uniforms and equipment
  • documents and photographs
  • displays of gallantry and service medals
  • stories of the people who served in this force

The museum is located at 30 Bell Street, Glasgow G1 1LG and is open free of charge, seven days a week from 1 April to 31 October, Monday – Saturday 10am to 4.30pm and Sunday 12 noon to 4.30pm.  From 1 November to 31 March the museum is open on Tuesdays 10am to 4.30pm and on Sundays 12 noon to 4.30pm.

The Police Museum also has a website at http://www.policemuseum.org.uk/ where you can read about the history of the force.

Way back in December 2008 I posted an item about the closure of the old museum, with a later update in the comments section giving the address, opening times and website for the museum in its new location.  I’ve been contacted by Alistair Dinsmor, the curator, to point out that that old post was causing confusion to potential visitors so I’m happy to post this update.

Sheena

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