From Witch Hunts to Cybercrime: the Police Museum’s new permanent exhibition describes the change in the work of the Police
What did a “relay crown servant” do? What about the “vice squad”? When did the first Internet police officers begin working? The Police Museum’s new permanent exhibition, The Police is Here! ,answers these and many other questions.
In the exhibition opening on Thursday, 13 June, museum guests can sit within the stone circle next to a beheading axe and marvel at the harsh legal practices and maintenance of public order in the past. Not only witch hunts but homicide, crimes against the State and contemporary cybercrime are on display.
Although the work of the police has changed over the centuries, some things never change.
“Already during the 1800s, constables from the precinct of Turku were busily employed in dealing with partiers who were roaring drunk, and those responsible for reckless carriage rides were issued fines. These days, every second police task related to emergencies is connected with drunkenness, and traffic control remains an essential police duty,” museum curator Juha Vitikainen relates.
On the other hand, the attitude of the police towards the citizenry has seen a great change: still at the outset of national independence, constables walked grimly through the streets and maintained order. Unnecessary chatting with citizens and smiling were not part of a constable’s proper behavior.
Crime Museum artefacts exhibited
Change in the work of the police is described in the new exhibition via “The Criminal Landscape”, i.e. acts of crime and accidents during various epochs. Offenses, accidents and the dark side of the lives lived by clients of the police are situated in the roads, streets and alleys constructed for the exhibition area.
“For example, while stopping for a moment in the Alley of Tears, material linked with illegal abortions as well as human and drug trafficking can be seen. The exhibition also raises subjects that cause amazement for modern people: why did loitering on the street result in warnings in the old days? Why did the vice squad monitor and arrest homosexuals in the defense of anti-loitering legislation?”
The Police is Here! exhibition also features artefacts from the Crime Museum. For security and data protection reasons, the Crime Museum is not open to the general public, but now anybody can get acquainted with some of the Museum’s fascinating objects and the stories linked with them.
Things to see and experience for the whole family
Located in Tampere, the Police Museum is open to all, free of charge. The museum presents the history and operations of the Finnish police from the Middle Ages to today.
The Pokela police station, intended for child guests, was renovated at the outset of the year. Pokela features, for example, a police station particularly for children that also boasts a garage and jail. As usual, children can put on Pokela police overalls if they wish.
For older visitors, the Police Museum offers a crime scene game in which a case of safecracking is solved. In the patrol vehicle game , which uses virtual glasses, you’ll get to put your skills to the test as a co-driver.
The permanent exhibition is suitable for museum visitors of all ages.
