Politimuseet

About the museum

The museum's beginnings go back to 1904, when a police inspector gave the young detective Carl Hansen two damp cellar rooms in the Domhuset, where he displayed evidence from major criminal cases as a study collection. Interest from lawyers, doctors and police officers was so great that the collection moved to the new Politigården in 1924.

Many moves followed – in 1955 to the police academy, in 1967 to an apartment on Blegdamsvej, later to the attic of the police academy – until the museum was closed in the late 1970s. Dedicated police officers then founded the Politihistorisk Selskab (police history society) to build a new museum.

In 1993 it opened in the former police station Station 6 on Fælledvej, a building from 1883; from 1998 the Politihistorisk Museum used the whole building. It was later transferred to the National Police (Rigspolitiet) and has been called Politimuseet ever since.

The exhibitions span the administration of justice in the Middle Ages and the night watchmen, the police under the German occupation, counterterrorism, gang crime and modern forensics. One room is devoted to murder cases, and a historic detention cell recalls the escape artist Lorentzen.

Highlights

• Politihånd from the 18th century, the first Danish police badge
• Drabsrummet – a room devoted solely to murder cases such as the hypnosis murders
• Historic detention cell and the escape artist Lorentzen
• Forensics from fingerprints to DNA
• The police under the occupation and the deportation of September 19, 1944

Permanent exhibitions

• Drabsrummet – An entire room on homicides with evidence and weapons, including the hypnosis murders and the case of the baby farmer from the 1920s.
• Politiet under besættelsen – The Danish police during the German occupation, their dilemmas, and the deportation of police officers to concentration camps on September 19, 1944.
• Kriminalteknik – How fingerprints, ballistics, footprints and DNA help solve crimes, shown through actual Danish criminal cases.

Founded

1993

Operated by

Rigspolitiet

Director

Frederik Strand

Admission & discounts

Members of the Politihistorisk Forening and one companion have free admission. Individual tickets for public guided tours and special tours are available through Billetto.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Several flights of stairs, high thresholds, no elevator, no lift and no ramp; the museum is located in an old police station from 1883, and alterations are currently not permitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available

During the winter and autumn holidays and on Culture Night there are activities for children, such as a crime puzzle (recommended from age 9), police uniforms in children's sizes, fingerprinting, and visits from police dogs and vehicles. According to the museum, the contents of the drawers in the murder room are not suitable for children. Strollers must be left at reception.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

No café and no room for bringing your own food; numerous restaurants around Sankt Hans Torv.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit