New £5.5m Museum of Policing proposed for Belfast police headquarters

Sir Norman Peel Bible

A major step forward has been taken in the development of a new Museum of Policing for Northern Ireland, with the PSNI submitting an official Expression of Intent to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.

The proposed museum is set to be constructed within the grounds of the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) headquarters on Knock Road, Belfast. Once formally registered as a charity, the newly formed organisation — titled Museum of Policing Northern Ireland — will oversee the facility’s operation.

The governing Board of Trustees for the charitable company will include representatives from the PSNI, the Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross (RUCGC) Foundation, and the Police Historical Society (N.I.), along with several independent members who are yet to be appointed.

A total of £5.5 million in government funding has been allocated for the museum’s construction, with a further £385,000 secured from the Part-Time RUC Reserve pension settlement. It is anticipated that, once established, the museum will operate sustainably with the support of external funding streams.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher welcomed the announcement, stating:

“I am delighted that we will be able to progress the building of a new museum here at police headquarters. The museum will offer cross curricula and whole-life learning opportunities for schools, students, adults and community groups through exhibitions, educational programmes and engagement activities.

“This will be a facility that the whole community can enjoy as we highlight the ongoing role of policing in conflict resolution, reconciliation and keeping people safe.”

Stephen White of the RUCGC Foundation added:

“The Foundation is proud to support this project to make the important role of policing more accessible and visible to our communities. It will exhibit the service and bravery of police officers across the decades and ensure that their stories are preserved for future generations.”

Sir Norman Peel Bible

George Clarke, representing the Police Historical Society (N.I.), said:

“The Police Historical Society is delighted with plans for a new and fitting museum. The new facilities will enable us to present and preserve the many artefacts we hold relating to policing in Ireland.

“Our collection contains approximately 12,000 artefacts of a diverse nature including uniforms, medals and other items telling the story of policing from 1814 to the present day; our oldest exhibit is a Bible from 1608 which belonged to Sir Robert Peel. We look forward to these being accessible to the wider public to illustrate the history of policing over more than 200 years.”

It is hoped that the Museum of Policing Northern Ireland will be open to the public by autumn 2028, offering an inclusive and educational space that reflects on the evolving role of policing in society.

The development follows a Proposal of Application Notice submitted to Belfast City Council in January 2023. Until the new museum is operational, the current Police Museum at Knock Road remains open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.

Full details, including how to book a visit, are available at: www.psni.police.uk/about-us/our-history/police-museum