Earlier in the year, OpsLens published a piece about the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C., explaining the coming-together of the components of law enforcement artifacts and cool police stuff which will be on display for the grand opening October 13, 2018. Well, the time has come, and a soft-opening transpired yesterday. Besides early-bird patrons of police memorabilia, a certain punk-targeting idol was on hand. Having played many cops in his Hollywood heyday, often by the moniker Dirty Harry, Honorary Chairman Clint Eastwood had the scissors to officiate the ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Thursday morning.
The 57,000-square-feet Museum building plans were formed roughly 20 years ago, with a hefty $100 million price tag when all was said and done and the spaces were filled with upwards of 20,000 items to behold. My favorite? The U.S. Park Police Eagle One helicopter which was dismantled at the U.S. Park Police hangar, transported to the Museum, then reassembled and foisted up to fill the vaulted ceiling spaces.
The National Law Enforcement Museum talks a lot about police memorabilia and having what they call a “walk in the shoes” law enforcement experience.
“Visitors from all walks of life will get the chance to discover the many facets of American law enforcement through educational interactive exhibits and workshops that delve into everything from the meticulous and messy world of forensics and DNA analysis to how law enforcement is portrayed in pop culture,” a NLEM description sheet boasted. Speaking of pop culture and perceptions of police, wouldn’t it be fulfilling to brandish the following firearm and say some crass comments like Make my day! and Go ahead, punk! while being bad-ass like that Eastwood guy?
Perusing various coverage of the National Law Enforcement Museum, The Guardian pointed out that “For the most part the National Law Enforcement Museum is uncritical and steers clear of politics.” Nevertheless, Guardian writer David Smith just felt compelled to go there, titling his piece “Where does police brutality fit in America’s first law enforcement museum?” Feel free to read Smith’s article so as to absolutely confirm how non-pro-police he seems to be. His tone is rather evident and his words are as if he couldn’t care less. So much for sacred grounds ripe for exploration of the multitudes of fabulous stories and actual props to go with the cops who performed duty, until David downer showed up with a flavor served-up by the likes of Obama-era AG Eric Holder.
Cool thing is: Cops uphold Smith’s freedom of speech as well as the Museum’s freedom of expression, including the on-hand barking police canine Mr. Smith also complained about. I guess he thought it was his personnel mudroom in which to shake off his dung collection.
Nevertheless, the pre-grand opening show went on. Thursday’s soft opening was made available to the media and the many investors who donated gobs of cash to see the project to fruition. Officially opening to the public on today, October 13, the National Law Enforcement Museum will host a “family-friendly event” offering “activities and entertainment for all to enjoy including the Run for the Badge 5K, K9 demonstrations, a variety of police vehicles and technology, face painting, live entertainment, and more.