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Plans for First-Ever National Law Enforcement Museum Formally Unveiled
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 With three former US Attorneys General and current DC Mayor Adrian Fenty at his side — and two former US Presidents participating via video — NLEOMF Chairman and CEO Craig Floyd this week formally unveiled plans for the first-ever National Law Enforcement Museum. The unveiling, which included presentations by the Museum's architect and exhibition designer and a moving speech by Jean Hill, national president of Concerns of Police Survivors, took place on Wednesday, February 28th, at the National Press Club in downtown DC. In addition to discussing plans for the Museum, the NLEOMF also launched the public phase of its fundraising campaign, A Matter of Honor: the Campaign to Support the National Law Enforcement Museum, with a goal of raising $80 million to build this living legacy and tribute to law enforcement.
 When the doors open in 2011, the National Law Enforcement Museum will be the largest and most interactive and comprehensive Museum of its kind in the world. Located just steps away from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and surrounded by our country's most honored museums and monuments, the 90,000 square foot Museum will be a hands-on interactive classroom, an inspiring "glimpse behind the badge," that teaches the story that has largely gone untold about the officers who serve as a vital and valued part of American society. This truly experiential Museum will house interactive exhibitions and displays that give Museum-goers a unique opportunity to hit the streets as law enforcement officers and also learn about the rich history of law enforcement in America.
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Behind the Exhibitions at the National Law Enforcement Museum
 In a split second, law enforcement officers can change lives. But before they act, they need to learn how to evaluate a situation, what's safe and unsafe, when and how to use effectively the tools of their trade, and how to employ the latest technology as they investigate-and solve-crimes. That's the purpose of the "Being an Officer," and "Take the Case" exhibition galleries. And then there's what we see on TV and in the movies, which is the subject of the "Reel to Real" gallery, where visitors will see and hear first-hand comparisons between everyday life in law enforcement and its portrayal by the entertainment industry. The hands-on environment in "Take the Case" will appeal to the investigator in all of us: This large, open area will have interactive stations arranged in a sequence where visitors can conduct their own hypothetical investigation.
Learn more by taking our virtual tour. |
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Our Nation's Need for a Law Enforcement Museum
 "Currently there are more than 800,000 federal, state and local law enforcement officials serving our great nation," said Craig W. Floyd, Chairman of the NLEOMF. "Despite these large numbers, very few people truly understand or appreciate what these heroes undergo on a daily basis. This Museum will allow visitors to be an officer for the day, experiencing first-hand the situations officers often face, from split-second decisions involved when apprehending a suspect, to mastering basic forensic techniques."
Read more. |
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The Law Enforcement Community and our Most Decorated Law Enforcement Officials Support the Museum
 The Museum's Board of Directors is composed of top officials from 15 major national law enforcement organizations, representing virtually all of America's more than 800,000 sworn federal, state and local law enforcement officers. Leading the campaign to build the Museum as honorary members of the A Matter of Honor Campaign are former Attorneys General Edwin Meese, Dick Thornburgh, John Ashcroft, Janet Reno, Benjamin Civiletti and William Barr. In remarks at the news conference, Thornburgh said the Museum will "inform, inspire and educate our nation." He was joined at the February 28th unveiling by Attorneys General Meese and Ashcroft. |
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Former Presidents Bush and Clinton Serving as Honorary Co-Chairs of the Campaign to Build the Museum
 Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton have been long-time supporters of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Former President Bush dedicated the National Memorial in 1991, and President Clinton signed the authorizing law to establish the National Law Enforcement Museum. "On the Memorial's Walls of Remembrance are more than 17,000 names of federal, state and local law enforcement officers who have given their lives in performance of the duty," said President George H.W. Bush. "This Museum will be an exciting, vibrant and interactive tribute to the men and women who protect us all. President Clinton and I hope all Americans will join us in this effort. I think it is the least we can do for those who have done so much: our nation's law enforcement officers."
View the former presidents' messages and access other background information in the online
Museum Media Pack. |
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