The exciting work of law enforcement always has been a topic for children's books. In this 1938 Big Little Book®, state trooper Jim Craig helps find a kidnapped governor. Public perceptions of law enforcement as seen through toys, games, books, movies, and news are the focus of the Reel to Real Gallery. NLEM 2006.175.1.

While African Americans have been involved in law enforcement since the 19th century, it was not until the mid-20th century that forces became more integrated. Lloyd George Sealy (1917-1985) joined the New York Police Department (NYPD) in 1942; he was one of 20 African Americans in his class — the largest number to date. Sealy became a sergeant in 1951, a lieutenant in 1959, and a captain in 1962. In the summer of 1964, Harlem exploded in riot and rage over the killing of a junior high school student by police in East Harlem. Police Commissioner Michael J. Murphy appointed Sealy to command the 28th precinct, becoming only the second African American to command a precinct in New York. In 1966, he became the first African American appointed Assistant Chief Inspector and the first African-American Commander of the Brooklyn North Patrol Service Area, which encompassed 11 Brooklyn precincts. Sealy left the NYPD in August 1969 to become an instructor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice's Law and Police Science Department. (Information excerpted from http://www.lib.jjay.cuny.edu/sealy/indexx.html) NLEM 2006.280.1.11.

"I was hit in the head by a state trooper with a nightstick... I thought I saw death." — John Lewis, SNCC leader and now a Congressman from Georgia's 5th District

The social unrest of the 1960s was visually captured in weekly news magazines, including Life, which published this cover photograph just two weeks after non-violent marchers were assaulted by Alabama state police near the Edmund Pettus Bridge outside Selma. Television networks broadcast the attacks of "Bloody Sunday" nationwide, creating outrage at the police, and sympathy for the marchers. A week following publication, 25,000 marchers arrived at the State Capitol building in Montgomery. Soon afterward, the U.S. Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, forcing states to end discriminatory voting practices. The National Law Enforcement Museum will look at all aspects of law enforcement, including the difficult and turbulent times of the 1960s. NLEM 2006.333.1.

August Vollmer, Chief of Police for Berkeley, California, is often credited with establishing the first police motorcycle patrol in 1911. However, several police forces around the country reported using motorcycles as patrol vehicles earlier. For example, the police department in Evanston, Illinois, purchased a belt-driven motorcycle for Leo Larkin, its first motorcycle police officer, in 1908, and the Portland, Oregon, Police Bureau hired Merle Sims in 1908 because he owned his own motorcycle. By 1910 Portland purchased two of its own motorcycles. This 1929 Harley-Davidson brochure outlines the positive benefits of riding one of their motorcycles. Note that it was from a Portland dealer. The National Law Enforcement Museum will have several motorcycles on exhibit when it opens in 2011. NLEM 2006.288.1.

Cartoons always have played an import role in shaping public perceptions of law enforcement. By the end of the 19th century, political influence and corruption were considered widespread in the New York Police Department (NYPD). In this 1884 cartoon, drawn by well known artist Thomas Nast, Theodore Roosevelt, then serving in the New York State legislature, is characterized as "Our New Watchman." He is tossing out "Our political 'Boss and Henchman'" who, according to the cartoon, "Must go." Roosevelt went on to become president of the board of New York City Police Commissioners in 1895, and, during the two years he held this post, he radically reformed the department, including new disciplinary rules, standardized use of pistols by officers, hiring based on physical and mental qualifications and not on political affiliation, and opening up the department to ethnic minorities and women. The History of Law Enforcement Gallery will have exhibits on Roosevelt's work in New York City law enforcement. NLEM 2006.406.36.

This 1948 Plymouth P15 inline flathead 6 cylinder served as one of the stars in the 2000 Hallmark Hall of Fame movie The Runaways, staring Dean Cain. The movie is an adaptation of the novel by Terry Kay in which two teenagers, one black, one white, are destined to bring change to their racially divided Georgia hometown in 1949. The Reel to Real Gallery emphasizes the role that popular culture and media play in our perceptions of law enforcement. NLEM 2006.306.1.

New Jersey State Troopers, ca. 1935. Group portraits of law enforcement officers begin in the mid-19th century. The commaraderie and brotherhood of law enforcement officers are documented in the Being an Officer Gallery. NLEM 2006.302.1.

While this lovely woman, by today's standards, is modestly clothed, in 1911, such an image was considered quite risque. But her equipment is top notch, from the silk tassels on the nightstick to her helmet. The pose adds to the sexually suggestive nature of the card. There are at least 10 cards in this series of similarly attired women posing as police officers. The Reel to Real Gallery will look at perceptions of law enforcement as seen through popular culture throughout U.S. history. NLEM 2006.90.1.

How will laws be enforced in the future? And how do different ages explore the future? The 1990 film Robocop II looks at one late 20th-Century view of the future. Not only does the National Law Enforcement Museum own this publicitiy photograph of Robocop, the Museum will display Peter Weller's costume from the movie in its Reel to Real Gallery. NLEM 2006.430.1.

As law enforcement became more professional at the turn of the 20th century, many professional organizations developed. In 1925 the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Associaiton held its annual meeting in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Delegates' badges were much more elaborate than the laser-printed cards of today. Beautifully crafted medallions round out the ribbon announcing the meeting. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's seal is at the bottom while a view of an industrially successful Johnstown holds the badge to the delegate's coat. NLEM 2006.144.1.

Law enforcement has long been a family affair, with generations of family members, including siblings, serving as officers. The Sprinkle brothers, Joshua L. and J.F., were both members of the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, DC. Joshua joined on September 4, 1890. By 1908 he was a lieutenant in the 1st Precinct and in 1924 a lieutenant in the 11th Precinct. J. F. Sprinkle was assigned as a private to the 7th district in 1908, but no other mention of him is found before or after that. C.M. Bell was one of the leading photographic studios in Washington, DC in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Dated photographs of law enforcement officers, such as this 1904 photo, help document uniforms, badges, hats, and other equipment. NLEM 2006.166.1.

Formal dances have been a part of law enforcement socializing since the 19th century. The balls or other dances often were used to raise funds for benevolent associations. Ladies attending the dances received dance cards so that men could sign up to dance. In addition to the dances, officers and other individuals participating in the event often are listed. In some cases, the names of fallen officers are included. Note that the card on the left indicates that it is the order of dances and that it is for the first annual Police Pension Fund ball. The APD monogram in the upper left refers to a now unknown police department. NLEM 2006.34.1. The card on the right also includes the order of dances and offers insight into the end of World War I. Not only are all the allied countries' flags on the cover, but the service star indicates that nine members of the Rochester Police Department participated in the war. This card dates from 1919. NLEM 2006.65.1

Law enforcement officers may be depicted in many different ways. Here, a cute moveable valentine's card makes a pun on police to ask the recipient to be theirs. Ca. 1950. NLEM 2006.268.1.

Handcuffs and other devices to restrain suspects and prisoners as well as protect law enforcement officers, have developed over the years. The early 20th century Judd leg irons at the top are by the Mattatuck Manufacturing Company, Waterbury, Connecticut (NLEM 2006.415.1a and b). Two different "mechanical nippers" are below: a Malcolm (patented 1911, bottom left, NLEM 2006.28.1) and the Iron Claw, by the Argus Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Illinois (patented 1934, bottom right, NLEM 2006.12.1) These three examples are among the restraint devices that the Museum will showcase.