Phoenix Police Museum: 12 Things to See and Do

I stumbled across the Phoenix Police Museum while exploring downtown Phoenix on Google Maps. I’m really glad I did. The volunteers at the museum, along with the history, artifacts and memorial are worth a visit. Plus, it’s free to visit the museum.

After spending about an hour there talking with one of the volunteers and exploring a little more, here’s a list of the 12 things you should see and do at the museum.

1. Learn about Phoenix’s first Sheriff Marshall

When you first enter the Phoenix Police Museum, you’ll notice an old western-style jail house. On the right is the jail cell with a prisoner, and on the left is the Sheriff Marshall Garfias. He was the first one in that role in Phoenix.

2. Kids can wear a police uniform and get sworn in

If you’ve got your kids with you, check in at the front desk. They will grab a real Phoenix police officer shirt that your child can wear during the visit. They’ll even swear them in as an honorary police officer.

3. Sit in a retired Phoenix police cruiser

I felt a little old to sit in the cruiser and grab a photo – but I did check it out. The computer on the passenger side of the car looked old-school. If you ask nicely, they may even turn on the flashing lights for you. (wink, wink)

4. Honor fallen officers: Men, women and K-9s

One of the volunteers at the museum showed me the memorial room. There are plaques on the wall for all the officers killed in the line of duty. There’s also a wall dedicated to the K-9s who were also killed. It’s a somber room – one you should definitely visit with reverence.

5. Learn about September 11, 2001 and its connection to Phoenix

Just outside the Memorial room is a portion of the debris from one of the World Trade Center towers that were attacked on September 11, 2001. There’s also a display of artifacts honoring the officers from around the country that were impacted by the events of that day.

If you’ve never been to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City, it’s something you should see when visiting the Big Apple.

6. Capture a mug shot at the Phoenix Police Museum

Down one of the hallways are a few pin-stripe shirt covers you can put on. Sit in the chair with the Phoenix Police Museum box on front of you and have a friend take a photo. It’s the perfect mug shot for you to share with your family and friends about your trip to Phoenix.

7. See a full-sized police helicopter

Near the back of the museum is an old police helicopter. It looks tiny, but I’m sure it served its purpose back in the day. There’s even a mannequin sitting in the pilot’s seat so you can see how small the helicopter really was in comparison to a human.

8. See police weapons throughout history on display

There are a variety of guns and weapons throughout the museum. From a colt .45 and leather holster, to a machine gun that you’d see in a gangster film. Check out the batons, handcuffs and other equipment used by the police in Phoenix.

9. Sit on a parking police tricycle with working lights

Parking enforcement officers rode a tricycle like the one pictured above. During your visit, sit on the seat and ask them to turn on the flashing lights. It’s a great spot for a photo. And if you’re wearing the police uniform shirt, you can consider yourself a police officer in training.

10. Read about women in Phoenix law enforcement

It was nice to see a display dedicated to the women in law enforcement through the years. You can even read about Phoenix’s first female police chief.

11. See a bomb squad robot and other equipment

Which wire are you going to cut – Red or blue? We’ll leave that up to the bomb squad robot. I chuckled when I read the back of the shirt on the mannequin in the bomb squad display – “I’m a bomb squad technician. If I’m running, try to keep up.”

12. Learn about the case that brought about the Miranda rights

We’ve all heard the Miranda rights (in TV shows; hopefully not in real life).

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you? With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?”

Did you know the court case that lead to the Miranda Rights was from Phoenix? You can learn all about that, too.

The Details

Address: 17 S 2nd Avenue, Historic City Hall, Phoenix, AZ 85003

Cost: Free, but they accept donations to help them operate.

Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

How long: 30-60 minutes

Website: https://phxpdmuseum.org/

Phone: (602) 534-7278

If you’re looking for other things to do in Phoenix, try hiking Camelback Mountain.

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