Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum: 7 Tips for Visitors

 The Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum (SMPM) was founded in 1997 by Seattle Police Officer Jim Ritter with the purpose of educating the public about the historic and cultural transitions of the department throughout the years.

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It is also the largest police museum in the Western portion of the United States.

Below are 7 tips for visitors to the SMPM:

1. Bring a camera!
As part of the children’s interactive exhibit, kids may try on authentic police uniforms, bullet-proof vests, badges, gun belts, and helmets. This makes for an excellent photo-op!

2. Set aside a couple hours for your visit.
The museum is filled with artifacts, documents, and original photos from over 150 years of police history in Seattle. Coupled with all the exhibits for public display, there is ample material for visitors to witness and experience.

3. Talk to the staff.
Most of the museum staff members are either Seattle Police Officers or Detectives, and they are filled with a wealth of knowledge regarding their department’s history. The only paid employee is the office manager, and the rest donate their time to the museum. The volunteer staff can also offer good recommendations for other local sites to see. 

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4. Take advantage of the museum’s location.
The SMPM is located in Seattle’s original 1852 downtown, Pioneer Square, and is close to the Klondike Gold Rush Museum, he Seattle Underground Tour, and the Smith Tower, amongst other popular sites, according to Seattle and Sound. 

5. Visit the museum’s vintage police cars.
Due to limited space in the museum itself, the 17 restored state patrol cars dating from 1949 onwards are kept off-site at various locations, according to the Seattle Times. 

6. Know the museum’s hours.
The SMPM is open from Tuesday-Saturday from 11a.m.-4p.m. and it only costs $4 per adult and $2 per child for admission.

7. Guided tours are available.
Although the museum is designed for self-guided viewing of the exhibits and displays, guided tours are available for groups of 10 or more. These tours require pre-payment to vouch for attendance. 

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