The Cleveland Police Museum • 1300 Ontario Street • Cleveland, Ohio 44113 • 216.623.5055

Open Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10am-2pm or by appointment

collections

An impressive array of facts, stories, and artifacts.

Collections

museum-in-a-box

Our convenient traveling box featuring unique artifacts, documents, and photos.

Museum in a Box

speakers-bureau

Our Speakers Bureau offers presentations on topics related to the history of the CPD.

Speakers Bureau

cop-shop-callout

Apparel, Accessories, Books, and More!

Cop Shop

Our Collections

Our Museum covers the entire history of the Cleveland Police Department, from its beginnings in the mid-1800s to modern day. From Eliot Ness to the gruesome Torso Murders, we have plenty of interesting displays. To get a peek, click to enter below.

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As Cleveland grew from a small outpost on the frontier to a bustling community, so did it's need for a more formal law enforcement system. Shortly after Cleveland officially became a city in 1836, the community established the Marshal system. In addition to regular policing, the City Marshal's duties included serving as the collector of customs, supervising the city’s street cleaners and preventing hogs from roaming the streets.The City Marshal’s subordinates, called watchmen, served much like modern day patrol officers, walking the streets armed with a lantern and a Newfoundland dog. Watchman John Osborne was the first law enforcement officer to die in the line of duty in Cleveland. He was attacked while on patrol and died from his injuries on December 1, 1853. www.clevelandpolicemuseum.org/heroes/heroes-roll-call-watchman-james-osborne/?highlight=osborne ... See MoreSee Less
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Did you know that the first Mr. Jingeling was a Cleveland police officer?www.clevelandpolicemuseum.org/historical/the-first-mr-jingeling/?highlight=jing#ClevelandPolice #clevelandpolicemuseum #mrjingling ... See MoreSee Less
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The Cleveland Police Historical Society and Museum exists to collect and preserve police history and to use its collection and programs to educate the public and foster mutual understanding and respect between law enforcement and the public.

Cleveland Police Historical Society

1300 Ontario Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: 216.623.5055

Hours

Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 am – 2 pm.
Tours are also available by appointment; use our contact form for your request.
Admission is always free
If the Cleveland Municipal School District is closed due to inclement weather, the Museum will be closed as well.

All material on this site is © Cleveland Police Historical Society