Police Museum, Glasgow

You will find everything you have ever wanted to know about law enforcement and some surprising facts that you never even thought about at the Police Museum, which you will find on the first floor over a Mexican restaurant in Bell Street, a part of the popular Merchant City district.

The City of Glasgow Police was established in 1779 and was the first recognised law enforcement agency in the United Kingdom. This fascinating museum tells you the history of the police from that date, through the Glasgow Police Act in 1800 to the creation of the Strathclyde Police in 1975.

The police history is spread in two rooms with wall panels, photos and illustrations that are well researched and presented in a captivating, easy to understand manner. The museum personnel is made up of ex-policemen who are very friendly and are always willing to answer questions and give you funny anecdotes about life in the police force.

There is a section on police officers who have received special honours and those who died in the course of duty. In the International Police section there is a staggering collection of uniforms and insignias from all over the world.

The last section deals with infamous crimes and criminals, and the methods used by the police for solving the felonies and arresting the offenders. There are also details about crimes that have never been solved and that are still open awaiting further advances in forensic technology.