America's law enforcement community is vast, with more than 18,000 different law enforcement agencies, each with its own codes, cultures and communities. Being an Officer invites you to walk in a law enforcement officer's shoes, starting from a recruit's first day at the training academy. Learn what it really means to protect and serve Americans from coast-to-coast and everywhere in between.

Welcome to the "The Academy," where new recruits rigorously prepare and train to protect and serve their communities. Experience the rigorous training provided to law enforcement officers using real, professional-grade simulators.

View The Academy exhibition »

Report for duty and be briefed by your commanding officer in Roll Call before heading off to the Locker Room. See the uniforms and tools of the trade that real officers use each day.

View the On the Job exhibition »

Police work isn't all sirens and crime scenes. Meet three very different law enforcement officers from across the country and follow in their footsteps as they work a "typical" shift. Listen to their true tales of crime fighting, hope and service.

View the A Day in the Life exhibition »

There's a lot more to law enforcement than the beat cops in blue. Law enforcement techniques and equipment must always work to keep up with crime. Learn about SWAT teams, K-9 units, undercover officers and many more of the specialized crime fighting teams in American law enforcement.

View the Specialized Law Enforcement exhibition »

Put your investigative skills to work and solve a crime. Collect evidence from the scene, learn how to interpret clues and analyze the facts in the realistic Forensics Lab. Once you've caught the suspect, learn proper procedures for putting the guilty behind bars.

View the Take the Case exhibition »

Corrections officers are surrounded by convicted criminals — yet, most of these officers are armed only with their street savvy and communications skills. Visit real prison cells and hear how corrections officers keep their cool and handle life walking one of the toughest beats of all.

View the Corrections exhibition »