Today, South Australia Police (SAPOL) in conjunction with the South Australia Police Historic Society (SAPHS), are celebrating Foundation Day with the unveiling of the SA Police Museum refurbishment.
A Foundation Day celebration is held each year on April 28 by SAPOL to commemorate the formation of the organisation, the first centrally controlled colonial, and then state, police service in Australia and third oldest in the world.
Located at Thebarton Police Barracks, the SA Police Museum is recognised as the leading Police museum of its type in Australia. With five different galleries, including a full exhibit of former police vehicles, the museum displays and promotes the proud history of SAPOL.
In 2018, a decision was made to review the operation and displays in the museum. A SAPHS strategic plan was prepared with the vision statement being that the SA Police Museum would work towards being recognised and acclaimed as a world-class police museum with a high reputation of excellence.
The Museum Redevelopment Programme, which was led by the Historical Society's museum volunteers, took nearly two years to complete and has resulted in four of the galleries receiving an upgrade. The galleries now each have a themed approach and clear explanations and signage so visitors can learn about the rich history of policing in South Australia.
A new exhibit was also launched - the United Nations Display which showcases the history and involvement of SAPOL and its members in the various United Nations Peacekeeping Missions, Regional Assistance programmes and assistance to foreign countries in times of catastrophic disaster.
To mark the refurbishment and Foundation Day, the Commissioner will join a class of Cadets at the museum for a full tour led by Police Historical Society members and retired Police Officers, bringing past and present together.
The museum was re-opened on 1 March 2021, following a closure due to the outbreak of COVID-19, and is now, once again, welcoming visitors. With the refurbishment now completed, we encourage the general public to visit the museum to explore SAPOL's remarkable history.
To visit – book through Tours – South Australian Police Historical Society
