Significant Exhibits: The National Police Force Museum
The National Law Enforcement Museum, located in the heart of Washington, D.C., near the National Mall and the National Law Enforcement Memorial, has been facing challenges attracting visitors since its opening in 2018. The Museum, which aims to preserve objects and stories related to American law enforcement, boasts a collection of over 20,000 items, including artifacts from figures like J. Edgar Hoover and significant events such as the Lindbergh kidnapping trial, September 11th attacks, and the 2002 DC Sniper shootings.
Despite its significant collection and mission, the Museum has struggled to attract the expected 300,000 visitors in its first three months. The Museum opened its doors on the edge of default with a $103 million bond borrowed in 2016.
One possible reason for the museum's attendance challenges is its niche focus. Museums that offer engaging, diverse activities tend to draw higher attendance. For example, the Fort Peck Interpretive Center in Montana recently saw its highest visitor turnout in a decade by hosting special interactive activities such as tours, kids’ crafts, and themed exhibits that appeal to a broad audience, from children to adults. The National Law Enforcement Museum, focused more narrowly on law enforcement history and memorials, might not yet employ similar broad-based experiential programming to attract varied visitor groups.
Another factor could be the museum's event-based initiatives. While the Museum does host events such as the upcoming Law Enforcement Traffic Fatalities Forum scheduled for July 22, 2025, these events may have limited appeal to casual visitors or tourists compared to more entertainment- or education-focused museum programming.
Public funding and fee structures could also play a role in visitor attendance. National parks and museums often rely on entrance fees and government funding. Increasing fees can negatively impact visitation, especially if perceived as a barrier for locals, although this is controversial and context-dependent. The National Law Enforcement Museum’s approach to pricing and funding might affect visitor attendance, but no direct data is provided.
The museum is part of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund’s broader mission, which includes honoring officers and promoting officer safety and wellness. This mission might appeal primarily to law enforcement circles or families of fallen officers rather than a wider public audience, potentially limiting general attendance.
To boost attendance, the Museum is working on increasing engagement through specialized events and virtual access. Hosting specialized forums and events related to current law enforcement issues to engage professionals and the public, such as the traffic fatalities forum scheduled for later in 2025, is one approach. The Museum may also benefit from expanding programming to include interactive experiences, educational activities for families, and community engagement similar to other successful interpretive centers. Leveraging digital and virtual access to events to broaden reach beyond physical visitors, as seen with the virtual option for the upcoming forum, is another strategy.
The National Law Enforcement Museum remains committed to telling the story of American law enforcement and preserving the objects and the voices of those that tell its story. For additional information, visit www.LawEnforcementMuseum.org. The Museum is open to the public Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and available for private group tours Tuesday-Thursday. The Museum is closed on Mondays.
The National Law Enforcement Museum could potentially improve its attendance by incorporating a wider range of activities beyond law enforcement history and memorials, such as home-and-garden themed exhibits or lifestyle-oriented workshops, to appeal to a broader audience. In line with this, the Museum might consider partnering with home-and-garden experts to organize events or collaborate on dynamic, popular experiences that draw visitors from all demographics.
