Police museums: A comparative approach

 Police museums are rare and little known in France, while they are quite common across the world. However, they are rarely discussed in police research or museum studies. Based on the case studies of fourteen police museums in seven countries where the authors have conducted in situ observations, this article describes how police museums have emerged in three waves since the end of the XIXth century. Using reflection on the museography and the objects that are displayed, the authors question the social demand met by these museums (whether they are public or reserved for police officers) and the heritage they provide for police work.