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The Friends are a group of like-minded people bound by an interest in the history of policing in London and the people who have been employed in the Metropolitan Police Service since 1829.
The key aim is to promote the concept of support for the collection of historical items and for a full range of research facilities to be accessible for those who wish it. In addition the Friends seek to facilitate the appropriate retention, cataloguing and conservation of the collection. To date the Friends have played a vital part in promoting this aim by actively assisting the permanent staff of the collection in this process.
Ultimately, the Friends would like to see the establishment of a Metropolitan Police Museum reflecting the long and distinguished history of this police service, so we will continue to support the appropriate acquisition of artefacts, written material and other items of police history to add to the collection.
Our collective voice has far more power than the single one, often viewed by those in authority as ‘individual eccentricity’ and being ignored as a result.
The Friends provide expert advice, available within the membership, to engage the wider public to put forward a positive message about history.
In July 2007 we started work on an Oral History Project:
Policing Community and Diversity in London 1946-2007: The Copper's Story.
The Friends, formed in 1995, are happy to invite you to join our membership to continue with this cause. Membership is open to anyone interested in the history of the Metropolitan Police and this is supported by an equal opportunities policy.
We publish a highly respected annual magazine The Peeler.
A newsletter updates the membership throughout the year, providing progress reports. Appropriate contributions and articles are always welcome. Talks are held in central London with guest speakers, and members are encouraged to attend. These provide an ideal opportunity to hear the accounts that have resulted from research, much of it done with the help of the collection.
JOIN US MOVING FORWARD!
NB The Crime Museum is a separate enterprise, operates at New Scotland Yard, and relates to the history of individual crime investigations. It is not generally open to the public.