American law enforcement today is a complex, sprawling collection of local, state, federal and tribal agencies that began with the first European colonists. This exhibition reveals how the early roles of law enforcement began. Through life-sized cast figures and historic artifacts, gain a new understanding for how law enforcement evolved and adapted to accommodate our country's rapidly changing landscape.

Step back into the Colonial era to focus on America's seminal police forces. Learn about law enforcement's European origins, including sheriffs, constables and the night watch. Take an in-depth look at how law enforcement took shape during its often chaotic early days.

Walk the beat of the big city during urban America's early days and see how police forces grew in tandem with skyrocketing immigration rates in the 1800s. See what policing was like in mid-19th century cities when the first municipal police agencies were formed.

• The First Detectives
  Understand the history of detective work, from the roots of early detective work on police forces to growing private agencies-and how some unscrupulous cops and private eyes gave rise to today's standard detective practices.
  
  
• Origins of the Secret Service
  See how the Secret Service came to be — established in 1865 to curb the counterfeiting of US currency, today it is also mandated by Congress to protect our national and visiting foreign dignitaries.

Journey to the American Frontier and get a glimpse at how our westward expansion created unique public safety needs-needs that were met in large part by a diverse group of tough, western lawmen. Take a deeper look at America's long love of "cowboy cops" and learn the truth behind the shootout at the OK Corral.

"Frontier Lawmen" profiles real Western lawmen — some legends, most of them heroes, including:

• US Marshal Bass Reeves
  Born a slave in 1838, Reeves escaped and became a tracker and US Marshal. He served for 32 years and tracked down hundreds of outlaws.
  
  
• Judge Isaac C. Parker
  A federal judge who served Oklahoma for 21 years starting in 1875, he tried 13,490 criminal cases and convicted 8,500.
  
  
• James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok
  A classic American lawman whose pistol-wielding reputation kept his town safe — for the most part. Ultimately killed while playing poker in a South Dakota saloon, the hand he held is now referred to as "the Dead Man's Hand."