What it Means to be a Police Officer
The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is Edmonton’s municipal police service and has been in existence since 1892; well before the founding of the province. And the Edmonton Police Museum & Archives are a great source of information for both historians and the curious about what, exactly; it means to have been a police officer before the province began, and what it means to be a policeman in Edmonton in the 21st century. The museum looks at not only EPS’s past, but also their current status. For instance, it displays review information about the ways in which the EPS is organized (Patrol Service Bureau, the Investigative Service, and Administrative Services), as well as where the different branches are located (north, downtown, west, southwest and southeast divisions).

The Past Comes to Life
The museum and archives, which is housed in the Edmonton Police Service’s headquarters in downtown Edmonton, is a 3,000 square foot museum with no admission charge, although donations are gratefully received. Inside, the history of Edmonton's police force is displayed using pictures, correspondence and other visual tools such as uniforms and a reconstructed cell, where museum guests can see what it was like to be behind bars. There are often student groups taking advantage of this opportunity, because the EPS offers a two-hour program entitled, "Forensics: The Science of Whodunit," available for grade six children on using interactive forensics to solve crimes. If you and your family are interested in the program, contact the museum to request the program. Additionally, if you’re interested in doing some research on Alberta—and the province’s longest-running municipal police service, contact the museum to make an appointment to access the archives. Staff members are always pleased to provide any assistance necessary.