During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln recognized the need for a municipal police force to help protect the residents and visitors of the Nation’s Capital. On August 6, 1861, the Metropolitan Police Department was born.
To commemorate our agency’s 165 years of history, we’re highlighting some of the most important moments — of local and, sometimes, national significance. Nearing completion, the Metropolitan Police Museum will feature many of these artifacts in permanent and rotating exhibits. It will help tell the story of an agency that has grown with the times but is always changing.
Below are some of the artifacts that will be on display once the Museum opens to the public in early 2027.
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| An Assassin's Handcuffs On July 2, 1881, less than a year after President James Garfield was elected the 20th president of the United States, he was shot by Charles Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker. These handcuffs were used on Mr. Guiteau, likely when he was transferred to court or being led to the gallows. |
Police Blotter An original police blotter from the agency's earliest days. Police blotters were handwritten journals used to log daily law enforcement activities, record criminal complaints, and maintain a chronological public record of station events. |
The 'Cherry Key' During the 1920s, one local man was well known for his drinking habits. He was arrested so often for public drunkenness that he had his own cell at Precinct 4, located at 492 E Street, SW. This key opened his cell and became known as the "Cherry Key." |
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| Roundsman's Rattle, 1857 The policeman's rattle, a wooden device that emitted a very audible "clacking" sound, was used by officers on footbeats (or rounds) throughout the city to call for backup and alert other officers to potential trouble. The oldest artifact in the Museum's collection, it predates the founding of the agency. |
Police Callbox, ca. 1950s Call boxes had been in place throughout America since Boston first used telegraph-based fire alarm callbox in 1852. In Washington, police callboxes were introduced in 1883. This model was retrofitted with a more modern telephone handset. |
Hecht Co. Salute to MPD This 1950s-era advertisement ran in local newspapers to congratulate Chief Robert Murray and the 2,133 "men who devote their lives to making our community a safe and just place to live." It also celebrates the opening of the Municipal Center, MPD's home from 1941 to 2023. |
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| Officer Friendly Greets Elementary Kids This 1970 image shows an MPD officer visiting students at a DC elementary school to give safety talks and encourage kids to talk to a policeman when they need help or are lost. |
MPD Escorts a Donkey In 1952, Privates Robert L. Rabe and George Andrasik were called upon to recover a donkey munching grass near the home of Agnes Driggers, who lived at 1530 Olive Street, NE. The pair slowly led the animal back to the 42nd Precinct, located at Benning Road and 42nd Street, using a borrowed carrot as bait. |
General Orders Book The 1878 edition of the MPD General Orders references the transfer of power from the Metropolitan Police Board to the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia in July of that year. |
Marking the Anniversary
Ceremonial Patch
Although not the typical landmark anniversary (150th, 175th, etc.), we thought it appropriate to mark the occasion of our 165th anniversary with a simple commemorative patch. In place of the standard motto ("Justitia Omnibus") set against a yellow ribbon is "165th Anniversary," with the founding and current years set in white thread on the left and right bases of the U.S. Capitol. The patch is ceremonial in honor of the agency's birthday, which is August 6.
A poster will also be displayed at each police district station and headquarters to mark the occasion. A digial version is available for download below.
165th Anniversary Video
