Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Washington Seattle Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum
Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum is permanently closed.

This entry remains in the Atlas as a record of its history, but it is no longer accessible to visitors.

Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum

The largest police museum in the western United States displays the evolution of crime-fighting Seattle.

Seattle, Washington

Added By
Lew Blank
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum   Smart Destinations/CC BY-SA 2.0
Add Photos
Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum   Smart Destinations/CC BY-SA 2.0
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Located in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square district, the Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum houses crime-fighting artifacts dating back to the 1860s—historic weaponry, uniforms, and a fleet of vintage cruisers tell the story of the evolution of the Seattle Police, from the olden days up until the 21st century.

Seattle was once a city filled with vice. Gambling, prostitution, drinking, and violence ran amok in the streets. Sometimes the police responded, sometimes they turned a blind eye.

As the Seattle police force modernized, the artifacts from this crime-ridden era—photographs, documents, and other memorabilia—no longer could be put to any use. So, in 1997, Officer Jim Ritter compiled these relics in an abandoned building, a site which has since grown to become the largest police museum in the western United States.

Inside the Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum, you can find antique badges, batons, shackles, investigative devices, and riot control equipment dating back to the late 19th century. Special exhibits include a historic police communications center and an old jail cell preserved from the early days of Seattle. In the children’s area, kids can listen to dispatched police calls and try on helmets, gun belts, and bulletproof vests. Also found on the museum’s property are 15 vintage police cars dating back to 1949.

Related Tags

Museums And Collections Museums Police Crime Museums

Community Contributors

Added By

lewblank

Edited By

Meg

  • Meg

Published

April 4, 2017

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.atlasobscura.com/events/valor-and-vice
  • https://www.wheretraveler.com/seattle/seattle-metropolitan-police-museum
  • http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/police-museum-Seattle/2015/06/04/id/648709/
Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum
317 3rd Ave S
Seattle, Washington
United States
47.599654, -122.330586
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Union Station

Seattle, Washington

miles away

Smith Tower Penthouse

Seattle, Washington

miles away

Seattle Underground

Seattle, Washington

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Seattle

Seattle

Washington

Places 131
Stories 18

Nearby Places

Union Station

Seattle, Washington

miles away

Smith Tower Penthouse

Seattle, Washington

miles away

Seattle Underground

Seattle, Washington

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Seattle

Seattle

Washington

Places 131
Stories 18

Related Places

  • Peter the dog.

    Brisbane, Australia

    Queensland Police Museum

    It's home to the taxidermy remains of Peter, the dog who helped convict a murderer.

  • The Cells

    Manchester, England

    Greater Manchester Police Museum & Archives

    This 19th century police station now puts the history of the Manchester City Police on display.

  • Uniforms and gear.

    Belfast, Northern Ireland

    Northern Ireland Police Museum

    This hidden museum examines the complex history of the country's law enforcement.

  • Police uniforms throughout the world.

    Glasgow, Scotland

    Glasgow Police Museum

    This hidden gem reveals the history of Britain's first police force.

  • Royal Malaysian Police Museum

    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Royal Malaysian Police Museum

    This surprising museum tells the story of modern Malaysia through the history of its law enforcement.

  • Frederick Deeming death mask

    Melbourne, Australia

    Victoria Police Museum

    Unusual finds in this shrine to local law enforcement include a 19th-century vampire-slaying kit.

  • Museum of Confiscated Art

    Brest, Belarus

    Museum of Confiscated Art

    A small museum in this border city displays the contraband art that has been stolen back from smugglers.

  • Justice and Police Museum

    Sydney, Australia

    Justice and Police Museum

    This grim museum collects artifacts and evidence of some of the most sensational antipodean crimes.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.