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Online exhibitions

Online exhibitions enable you to get to know more about the history of the police, even if you would be unable to visit the Police Museum in Tampere. Our online exhibitions are open even when the museum is closed.

This page has the links for the Police Museum’s online exhibitions. The links will open in new windows outside the poliisimuseo.fi website.

In Memoriam – Police killed in the line of duty

The “In Memoriam” online exhibition recounts the history of police fatalities. The exhibition for example reveals the periods of Finland’s history when the highest numbers of police fatalities have occurred, the most dangerous types of assignments for police officers, and how the work community responded to these events in different periods.

The “In Memoriam” online exhibition includes a database of 164 police fatalities. The online exhibition includes touching stories and shocking recollections of near misses and injuries. The exhibition is a reminder that a police fatality is always a huge tragedy for the police community, for those close to the police, and for society as a whole.

Visit the “In Memoriam” online exhibition (The English version of the online exhibition will be released later in December 2025.)

A dark-toned image showing fog and the title of the exhibition “In Memoriam – Police killed in the line of duty”.
Photo the Police Museum, Reetta Lepistö

Crime and Love – The Decriminalization of Homosexual Acts

Homosexuality was a crime in Finland from 1894 to 1971. The online exhibition “Crime and Love” was launched in 2021, 50 years after homosexual acts were decriminalized in the Criminal Code of Finland, and 40 years after homosexuality was removed from the classification of diseases.

The online exhibition highlights the importance of these changes for police operations and the rights of sexual minorities.

Visit the “Crime and Love” online exhibition

Picture collage on the online exhibition starting page. In the picture on the left, the police seizes a sign that reads “I encourage homosexuality” from a member of the public. In the picture on the right, a mounted police officer rides in front of a Pride parade, with participants carrying rainbow flags. The text on top of the collage image says: Crime and Love – The Decriminalization of Homosexual Acts.
Photos the Labour Archives, Hannu Vierula and the Finnish Heritage Agency, Melissa Hanhirova

The Police of Independent Finland

When Finland gained independence, police officers were feared officials, but today they are an everyday source of safety, widely trusted by citizens. The “The Police of Independent Finland” online exhibition is a concise general account of how the Finnish police forces have evolved from the turmoil at the beginning of national independence to the present day.

In the exhibition, we describe the change in police work and the operating environment. The online exhibition features around a hundred photographs covering a period of a hundred years.

Visit the “The Police of Independent Finland” online exhibition

Picture of an online exhibition starting page, with the text: The Police of Independent Finland. The characters form the pattern of the Finnish flag.
Photo the Police Museum

From Breeches to Coveralls – The history of Finnish Police Uniforms

What did the police uniform look like in the early years of Finland's independence? What did the gentleman police officer's uniform consist of? When did patrol officers start wearing coveralls?

The online exhibition features pictures, with explanations, of coveralls and driving outfits, head gear, footwear, and coats. Visitors can study the history of the police uniform on a timeline, or by theme. There are also model sketches with relevant insignia on display as well as original regulation texts which allow us to read how uniforms have been specified to look at different times.

Visit the “From Breeches to Coveralls” online exhibition

Picture of an online exhibition starting page, a police uniform is being tried on in the picture. The text in the picture: From Breeches to Coveralls. The history of Finnish police uniforms.
Photo the Police Museum