The city’s policing heritage has been safeguarded with the reopening of Coventry’s Police museum in its new location at the Council House.
The Coventry Police Museum first opened in 1957 at Little Park Street, now Coventry Central Police Station. It closed in 2020, but West Midlands Police Museum supported a ‘pop up’ museum in Hertford St as part of Coventry’s UK City of Culture celebrations.
Now the museum has found a new, permanent home, at Coventry Council House. Exhibits cover almost 200 years’ worth of policing history in the area, including old uniforms and early forensic tools. It also contains stories of some of Coventry’s most infamous moments, including the hanging of Mary Ball and the attempted IRA attack in 1974 by James McDade.
It is staffed by a team of volunteers, many of whom are retired Coventry police officers who are happy to answer any questions and tell you stories from their service. The museum is located on the ground floor of the Council House, and is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 10am to 2pm. Opening times will be subject to their being available volunteers.
The museum re-opened on 4th September in a ceremony attended by Simon Foster, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Craig Guildford, Chief Constable for the West Midlands, Coventry Lord Mayor Cllr Mel Mutton and the Leader of the Council George Duggins. There were also former officers from the city and members of their families.