Law enforcement history awaits you at the Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum

Located in the historic Pioneer Square district in Downtown Seattle, the Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum brings the history of policing in the Pacific Northwest to life.  The Museum is the official repository for the historical artifacts of the Seattle Police Department and the King County Sheriff’s Office dating back to the 1880’s.  

Historic photographs, documents, weaponry, uniforms, and a variety of other artifacts are on public display, as well as information on some of the regions’ most notorious crime cases.  The museum also has vintage interactive displays, including a 9-1-1 dispatcher console and historic jail cell.

About the Museum

The Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum is a private, non-profit facility designed to “demystify” the police and educate the public about the historic, cultural, technological and social transitions of the Seattle Police Department and King County Sheriff’s Office. 
The Museum actively collaborates and is the official repository for both of the agency’s historical artifacts, which are on public display and include; historic photographs, documents, weaponry, uniforms, and a variety of other artifacts dating back to the 1880’s.  

The Police Museum was formed in 1997 by Seattle Police Officer Jim Ritter and other police officers who transformed an abandoned building into the largest privately operated police museum in the United States representing a major U.S. city and county.  The Museum administration consists of a President and Board Members from both agencies as well as an Office Manager, who is the only paid employee.  The Police Museum has been officially endorsed by the Seattle City Council and King County Council and relies on the collaborative support from the City of Seattle and it’s Police Department as well as King County and its’ Sheriff’s Office.

In addition, the Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum also collaborates with other private organizations and various media entities which include; Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound, America’s Most Wanted, A&E, The Discovery Channel, The History Channel, Steven King Productions and other organizations which share the mission, vision and goals of the police museum.

The Police Museum is does not receive financial support from any government agency and is funded entirely through the generous donations of over 1,000 Seattle Police Officers and King County Sheriff’s Deputies, Admission fees, Gift shop sales, private donations, facility rentals and grants.  The museum is a federally recognized 501C3 non-profit organization.

Donate

The Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum is a Federally recognized 501-c-3 organization legally authorized to receive private and government grants and donations for the purpose of building and/or expanding special exhibits, restoring artifacts (including vintage police vehicles), purchasing historic collections and/or artifacts and designing & enhancing police related educational programs for children, seniors and local citizens.  Individual membership donations are also tax deductible.  Government agencies are also legally authorized to donate and/or loan surplus items and/or artifacts to the Police Museum.

If you would like to donate Money or Seattle Police or King County Sheriff related items to the Police Museum, please call #206-748-9991 or email: smpmuseum@aol.com

Become a Member

Although the majority of the Police Museum’s membership is held by sworn and civilian employees of the Seattle Police Department and King County Sheriff’s Office, anyone is welcome to become a member. 

• The cost for members of the above agencies is done through automatic payroll deduction at the rate of $5.00 per paycheck. 
• Non-department membership is $120.00 per year.
• The Police Museum is an IRS recognized 501C3 Non-Profit organization and ALL membership fees are tax deductible.

Membership forms can be obtained by downloading membership forms and turning them in to Officer Jim Ritter (SPD-Unit #623), or by mailing the form to the Police Museum at 317 Third Ave South, Seattle, WA 98104. 

Non-department membership is $120.00 per year.  Membership benefits include:  Free Admission for you and your immediate family throughout the year, a 10% discount at the Museum gift shop and free and/or discounted use of the Museum facility for your special event, parties, etc. All donations are tax deductible.