Over 130 years of history
The Phoenix Police Museum is located on 2nd Ave & Jefferson Street, on the 1st floor of the Historic Phoenix City Hall. The museum highlights the history of the Phoenix Police Department from 1881, when Henry Garfias, was elected the first city marshal to the present.
the Miranda Case
In the late evening hours of March 3rd, 1963 a young Phoenix woman was kidnapped, sexually assaulted and robbed while walking from a bus stop. Ten days later, on March 13th, 1963, Ernesto Miranda was arrested by the Phoenix Police for the assault. This set in motion a series of court hearings which resulted in a U.S. Supreme Court decision that would impact interviews between law enforcement and those suspected of crimes.
Police Work After WWII
Many changes to police work occurred after World War II, form uniforms to weapons. The department began to become more standardized in its academy, training and policies.
what people are saying
“I didn’t know that the Miranda Rights Supreme Court case was originally started here in this building with the arrest of Miranda by Phoenix PD back in 1963.”
” – don’t miss the Memorial Room and pay your respect to the wonderful men and police dogs who have given their lives to defend our way of life.”
“This place was awesome! Being that I’m a Criminal Justice Major I was super excited when I found out about this place.”
Experience parts of our past through the eyes of the men and women who take the oath protect it.
thin blue line gear
The "Thin Blue Line" stands for law enforcement's separation of order from chaos, or, as Oxford Dictionaries describes, it's a reference to police, "in the context of maintaining order during unrest." ... The thin blue line flag stands for the sacrifice law enforcement officers of this nation make each day. Show your support by purchasing and proudly displaying your Thin Blue Line gear today!
COMMEMORATIVE RINGS NOW AVAILABLE!
The Phoenix Police Department Collection of rings is now available for purchase from Jostens. The leader in commemorative rings production. You're able to cusotmize your ring with your information and tastes. You're able to add your name, department, years of service, and more. Click the button below to learn more and order your ring today.
*Rings can only be purchased by current and former officers/employees or their families. When prompted enter access code "ppd85003" to log into the store.
Show your support
The museum operates on donations form the public so any help you can offer is welcome. We have different ways to donate and different items you can donate to. Use the button below to see all of our options for helping us preserve the past.
Display one of our vehicles at your event!
If you’re interested in having our vehicles on display at your event simply click on the Learn More Button below. Our vehicles are available for free, however, we do ask you to make a donation to the museums’s vehicle restoration and maintenance fund to help us acquire and maintain these classic police vehicles.
Historical Research
The Phoenix Police Museum can perform historical research for you on a person or topic you choose. Our researchers can comb through our historical archives and create a report for you on a specific date, a historical figure, a family member, or a specific incident or issue. Let us help you learn more about our great history.
Email Us
Come on In! Free admission
Weekdays
9AM -3PM
(Last entrance at 2:45PM)
closed for holidays
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday
Presidents Day
Cesar Chavez Birthday (March 31)
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving
The day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Day
Contact info
Phone
602.534.7278
info@phxpdmuseum.org
Mailing Address
17 South 2nd Ave
Historic City Hall 1st floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003
map/physical Address
Use 2nd Ave & Jefferson for maps & GPS directions
Admission
Admission is free, but we will gladly take donations!
The Phoenix Police Museum is an IRS approved non profit 501C3 organization. We are supported by the generous monthly payroll deduction of over 1,700 Police and City of Phoenix employees as well as donations from individuals and businesses.
Parking
Paid Parking is available along Jefferson Street at the meters or in the City of Phoenix parking garage located at 305 West Washington Street.
Meters - Hourly Rates
Meters cost $1.50 per hour and coin-only meters cost $1 per hour.
Payment Method
Most meters accept credit/debit cards and coins and others only accept coins.
Pay-by-cell is also available via the Pango Mobile Parking app for credit card enabled parking meter
Time Limits
Time limits generally vary by location. Time limits at metered locations can range from 15 minutes to as long as 8 hours. In most areas, the maximum duration is 2 hours. The parking time limits are posted on each meter.
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Accessible Meters
Phoenix has several on-street accessible parking spaces throughout the downtown area. Each space is clearly marked with a special sign with the international symbol of access.
Vehicles displaying a valid ADA License Plate and/or Placard receive one hour of free parking once their parking meter has expired. Vehicles displaying a valid Purple Heart Recipient license plate also receive one free additional hour. This applies to all parking meters, not just the designated ADA Accessible parking meters. The nearest ADA paid parking meter is located just East of 2nd Avenue on Jefferson on the North side of the roadway.
305 PARKING GARAGE
The City of Phoenix parking garage is managed by Ace Parking and can be contacted at 1-888-223-7275. It does have Disable spots available and has a height restriction of vehicles of 8’2″. Wider vehicles must call ahead to make an appointment for a limited number of over sized vehicles. The cost of all parking is $4.00 per hour. The Museum does not validate parking for visitors.
How to get here...
From the Northwest Valley via I-17 South I-17 to I-10 East (exit 200A) Exit at 7th Avenue (exit 144A) and turn right Travel 1 mile to Jefferson Street and turn left Move to the left lane. Turn left into City Public Parking Garage between 4th and 3rd Avenues.
From the Northeast Valley via SR51 South SR51 to I-10 West Exit at 7th Avenue (exit 144A) and turn left Travel 1 mile to Jefferson Street and turn left. Move to the left lane. Turn left into City Public Parking Garage between 4th and 3rd Avenues.
From the West Valley via I-10 East Exit at 7th Avenue (exit 144A) and turn right Travel 1 mile to Jefferson Street and turn left. Move to the left lane Turn left into City Public Parking Garage between 4th and 3rd Avenues.
From the Southeast Valley via I-10 West Exit at 7th Avenue (exit 144) and turn left. Travel 1 mile to Jefferson Street and turn left. Move to the left lane. Turn left into City Public Parking Garage between 4th and 3rd Avenues Note: The parking garage has a second entrance on 4th Avenue between Jefferson and Washington.
Note: The parking garage has a second entrance on 4th Avenue between Jefferson and Washington.
Tours
Please call or email us to schedule a tour for groups larger than 10 persons.
602.534.7278 or tours@phxpdmuseum.org
A suggested donation of $25 is requested for group tours over 10 persons. We require appropriate adult supervision ratio for children and special needs individuals. Normal tour groups sizes are suggested to be no larger than 24 to 30 persons. It is best to call approximately one month in advance if you are requesting a specific time and day.
DONATIONS
OUR EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
