Published : 2025-08-06
The Hong Kong Government is promoting nine major Hong Kong tourist hotspots, including the "disciplinary services pioneer tours". In collaboration with the tourism industry, the Government is developing travel products around discipline forces museums, such as the Police Museum.
Did you know that police not only catch thieves but also hunt tigers? How were Hong Kong's historical crime cases solved? What's more, are you interested in entering the virtual police world and starring in your own cop story?
The concept of establishing Police Museum was conceived in 1960s
The Hong Kong Police Force has a history of over 180 years. To learn about the true side of this disciplined force, you must visit Police Museum at Coombe Road on The Peak.
From its colonial-era heritage to the post-1997 collection of around 1,300 exhibits, complemented by interactive features powered by various technologies and short films on notable criminal cases—the museum is sure to satisfy the curiosity of both residents and visitors.
Why was the Police Museum established?
The origins of the museum began from the early 1960s when a group of senior police officers, headed by the Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Mr. G. A. R. WRIGHT-NOOTH (韋磊夫), came together and started to collect historical items related to the Force. Their ultimate goal was to set up a police museum in which the artifacts could be properly housed and displayed.
In 1964, the Police Historical Records Committee was formed with the ultimate aim of realising the museum project. Appeals for donations of artifacts were answered and the Committee received valuable items from both retired and serving members of the Force. However, a suitable location for building the museum could not be found.
It was not until 1976 with the completion of an expansion to the Police Headquarters, that a 50-square-metres space was allocated for the museum, but it soon proved to be insufficient. In 1982, the museum temporarily moved to a rented premise at a commercial Building in Wan Chai.
Read more: Why Hong Kong Police Headquarters is not No.1 Police Station?
Police Museum settled at The Peak in 1988
Finally in 1984, the government approved the permanent use of the former Wan Chai Gap Police Station (灣仔峽警署) for the Police Museum. Renovation work commenced in spring 1987 and was completed in November 1988. A revitalisation plan was launched in 2020, and the museum reopened to the public in 2022 with a new look.
When visiting the Police Museum, here are the four main exhibition halls you must see.
Orientation Gallery is the largest exhibition hall in the museum, and exhibits are displayed in chronological order or by police work stream to reflect important historical moments and developments of the Force.
In Thematic Gallery, two large video walls can showcase videos and photographs related to different events and themes. The revitalised Police Museum features the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland in 2022 and the "National Security Law" as the first exhibition themes, with content covering national security.
Triad Societies Gallery showcases one of the primary targets of police enforcement: the "triads" (now referred to as "organised crime"). The hall recreates the altar used during traditional triad initiation ceremonies, offering the public a glimpse into the superstitious and fear-inducing rituals once practiced.
Serious Crime Gallery presents a selection of Hong Kong's landmark crime cases from the past in short films that help bring the shocking scenes back to life, enabling you to understand how the detectives persisted in solving each case.
Other must-see special exhibits include the specimen of "The Tiger of Sheung Shui" that killed two police officers and was subsequently shot by the police in 1915, the sidecar motorcycles used by the police in the 1960s, and the bomb disposal vehicles that handled numerous bomb threats in the 1970s.
VR experience "Virtual Police World" allows visitors play as police officer
Additionally, the museum features various interactive technological facilities, such as the "Virtual Police Selfie Kiosk", the interactive multimedia game "Smart Detective", the AR checkpoint "AR Police Spot" and the 360-degree immersive VR experience "VR Police Experience", where you can be the main character in police stories (activity arrangements can be confirmed with the staff).
Such a rich and interesting itinerary allows citizens and tourists to gain a deeper understanding of the history and development of the Hong Kong Police, as well as their daily operations. It also enhances the appeal of Hong Kong's tourism offerings.
Read more: Explore Kowloon Walled City with movie set exhibition
Read more: Hong Kong brand Lee Kum Kee was born from the accidental overcooking of oyster broth?
