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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