The Museum of Policing in Devon & Cornwall archive is cared for by partner organisation Southwest Heritage Trust.
Our collection is arranged under the broad headings of “Objects”, which are housed in storerooms at the police station in Okehampton Police Station, plus “Archive”, consisting of documents and photographs, housed at the Devon Records Office in Exeter. The total number of items are in the tens of thousands. All material is related to the history of the police force(s) and policing in the counties of Devon and Cornwall.
Museum materials date from the early 1800s to the present day, including material connected with specific high-profile cases (often violent crime), which are managed within police information management guidelines as well as archival best practice and the Museums Association Code of Ethics.
A guide to the archive and how to use it is here. The Museum receives enquiries requesting research services from genealogists, local historians and writers for books, TV, film, and radio. Also, from university students, schools, societies, and local history groups. Email us with information on your search and for an enquiry form. (N.B: a small charge may apply depending on the complexity of the enquiry).
Museum of Policing in Devon & Cornwall Police Archive: Devon Heritage Centre, Great Moor House, Bittern Road, Exeter EX2 7NL. The archive is open to the public and by appointment for particular research items. More information can be found here.
To search our archive catalogue online, see here.
The Museum Digital Archives are only available to Museum Members to view. You may view more Membership information here.
A sample of content may be experienced at the Museum digital blog site here.