Decades of policing history in Devon and Cornwall is set to be celebrated when a new museum officially opens in Tavistock.
The Museum of Policing in Devon and Cornwall (MOPIDAC) will unveil its mini premises on Tuesday, March 5.
Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, has been invited to cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony, at Tavistock’s Court Gate building, in Bedford Square.
The mini museum is the result of years of perseverance to find a premises where artefacts, documents and photographs charting Devon, Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly’s policing history and heritage can be displayed to the public.
Pam Giles, museum volunteer and trustee, said: “To see the museum open after all these years is very emotional; it brings tears to my eyes.
“This is the first time the public will have unrestricted physical access to a section of the museum.
“It’s something we’ve wanted to have for as long as I can remember, when there were just three volunteers involved.”
Pam, who retired from the force in 2003 and was Devon and Cornwall’s first resident female police motorcyclist, said the search for a space where the public could see the collection had been on the wish-list for almost 20 years.
Planned exhibits for 2024 include personal stories charting the history of the region’s women in policing.
Greg White, MOPIDAC CEO, said: “I am so proud of the team effort that went into getting the museum ready.
“Opening a museum usually takes years, but the team worked hard and shaved off several months to get the building ready for the public.
“We are really looking forward to being able to exhibit some of our unique collection and archive, which until now has been only available to the public by prior appointment.”
The Museum of Policing in Devon and Cornwall is a registered charity supported by the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner to collect, preserve, and share the history of policing in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.