Los Angeles Police Museum/ self guided tour

The Los Angeles Police Museum was formerly known as the Los Angeles Police Historical Society (LAPHS). In 1989, the LAPHS was founded with the mission of creating a world-class museum that would display the rich history of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

The department has played a large role in the development of the City of Los Angeles and the history displayed at the museum not only reflects the numerous contributions from its beginning on March 10, 1869, but also the many adversities experienced on the road to becoming the most professional police department in the world.

The museum is located in the Highland Park Police Station, built in 1925. The station was closed in 1983 and subsequently ravaged by vandals, arson fires, and water damage. Since then, it has been salvaged and restored by the Historical Society to its original Renaissance Revival style and it is a registered National Historic Landmark.

The building is leased to LAPHS and also houses the Society’s administrative offices.

Host or Publisher Los Angeles Police Museum