The West Midlands Police Museum has cemented its place as a unique community asset, having welcomed over 1200 visitors since finding its permanent home in Coventry Council House in Autumn 2024. This immersive attraction offers the public a rare glimpse into policing history through events, tours, and special exhibits, with one particularly unusual offering: the chance to spend a night in the cells.
Engaging the Community: Education and Unusual Overnight Stays
The museum has become a vital educational resource, with 96 schools visiting to explore critical topics like knife crime, county lines, and antisocial behaviour. Its impact extends beyond the classroom, providing memorable experiences for youth groups. In 2025 alone, over 250 Scouts, Guides, Brownies, and other young people participated in overnight cell sleepovers, a package also available for birthday parties and school trips.
This hands-on approach was highlighted earlier this year when the museum, alongside officers from across the force, hosted Year 8 learners from Christchurch Academy. These students, affected by knife crime, were given positive experiences of policing to build bridges and understanding.
Innovative Exhibits and Honouring Legacy
One of the museum's standout projects is the Fashion Police exhibition, launched this year. Created in partnership with Birmingham City University and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, it blends history, culture, and design. The exhibition features physical recreations of policing uniforms paired with personal accounts from officers who served in the region.
The museum also focuses on personal stories of service. Over the summer, the West Midlands Dog Unit announced a new litter of German Shepherd puppies named after inspirational policewomen. Retired officers Elizabeth and Kay met their namesakes, puppies Lizzie and Kay. Elizabeth, who joined the force in 1973 and the Dog Unit in 1979, shared her pioneering experiences at the museum for International Women's Day. Kay, one of the first female officers in the Mounted Unit in 1985, participated in a 'Meet the Mounties' talk.
Commemoration, Volunteers, and Future Plans
In November, the museum hosted a poignant Remembrance Event with the Birmingham Air Raids Association, honouring the 147 officers from Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Walsall, and Wolverhampton who lost their lives in the world wars. The institution relies heavily on community support, with volunteers dedicating an impressive over 6,000 hours to roles ranging from acting out historical scenarios to supporting educational visits.
The museum's volunteers also showcased exhibits at the Emergency Services Show at the NEC in September, where stories about outdated police radios and breathalysers proved a hit. Currently, the museum is closed for maintenance over Christmas and most of January but will reopen in February 2026, with tickets already available for an upcoming Murder Mystery event.
