• About us

    In 1964, the Police Historical Records Committee was set up to implement the museum project and to appeal for donations of artefacts related to the Force. The appeal was well received by serving and retired officers and their families.

    In 1984, the Government approved the redevelopment of the former Wan Chai Gap Police Station at Coombe Road, the Peak, with a total area of 570 square metres, as a permanent location for the Police Museum. Upon completion of the restoration, the new Police Museum was officially opened to the public on 25 November 1988.

    The revitalisation of the Police Museum commenced in mid-2020. The revitalised Museum once again opened to the public in September 2022 with a new look.


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Featured Exhibits


Fire-fighting Hand Cart, the mid-19th century

There was no fire service in the early days of Hong Kong. Fire-fighting was carried out mainly by the British troops and volunteer fire-fighting teams. On 9 May 1868 The Hong Kong Government promulgated the Fire Brigade Ordinance, which established the first formal fire brigade under the Hong Kong Police Force. At the time, Charles May, who was also Police Magistrate, was the first Superintendent of the Fire Brigade to lead the fire-fighting team. This fire-fighting hand cart was a major equipment of the early fire brigade. The English words "H.K.F.B." and "C.P.S." were painted on the cart, representing the Hong Kong Fire Brigade and Central Police Station respectively.

A group photo of Fire Brigade members, the 19th century.A group photo of Fire Brigade members, the 19th century.
Fire Brigade held an inspection parade in Central, the 1920s.Fire Brigade held an inspection parade in Central, the 1920s.


The Plague Medal, 1894

In 1894, Hong Kong’s health and security were put to the test when bubonic plague broke out, killing at least 2,500 people within the year. As some residents concealed their disease, the Government deployed the British army to the areas where the pandemic was concentrated to assist the police in conducting door-to-door searches, isolating the sick, disposing of the bodies, and disinfecting the flats. In recognition of the selflessness and bravery of those who fought the plague, the Hong Kong community at that time had the plague medal struck and presented by the Hong Kong Government to the plague fighters.

A glass factory in Kennedy Town was requisitioned by the Government as a temporary hospital, 1894.A glass factory in Kennedy Town was requisitioned by the Government as a temporary hospital, 1894.
The Government deployed the British army to fight the plague, 1894.The Government deployed the British army to fight the plague, 1894.


Specimen of “The Tiger of Sheung Shui”, 1915

On 8 March 1915, villagers reported at Sheung Shui Police Station that a tiger had been found on a hill near Lung Yeuk Tau. Whilst Police Constables Goucher and Hollands were on the way for investigation, a tiger pounced on them. Goucher was mauled and taken to hospital. He passed away four days later. The following day, Donald Burlingham, the then New Territories Commander, led a dozen officers and villagers to hunt the tiger. During the hunt, Indian Police Constable Ruttan Singh was mauled by the tiger and died in the line of duty at the scene. The tiger was eventually shot in the head and killed. The bullet mark of the fatal shot is still clearly visible at the top centre of the specimen.



Donald Burlingham, the then New Territories Commander, (in uniform at centre) shot and killed “The Tiger of Sheung Shui”, 1915.Donald Burlingham, the then New Territories Commander, (in uniform at centre) shot and killed “The Tiger of Sheung Shui”, 1915.
The head specimen of “The Tiger of Sheung Shui” was hung inside the Barrack Block of the then Police Headquarters, the 1960s.
The head specimen of “The Tiger of Sheung Shui” was hung inside the Barrack Block of the then Police Headquarters, the 1960s.


Motorcycle with a Sidecar, the 1960s

After World War II, the motorcycle with a sidecar was introduced to the Hong Kong Police Force from Britain. This type of motorcycle was in fact a tricycle with a bucket seat attached to the side, commonly known as a “gondola”, for carrying passengers. In those days, these tricycles were mainly used to transport senior police officers on their official duties, until they were gradually replaced by other vehicles in the 1970s.

Traffic officer, the 1960s.Traffic officer, the 1960s.
Officers sat on a motorcycle with a sidecar, the 1950s.Officers sat on a motorcycle with a sidecar, the 1950s.


Bomb Disposal Vehicle, the 1970s

Bombs detonated during the many riots in Hong Kong before the 1970s caused deaths and injuries. The Hong Kong Police Force established the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau in 1972. The model number of this old bomb disposal vehicle is “Wheelbarrow Mark 7”. Its main function was to pick up the explosives with a mechanical arm and move them to a suitable location for detonation or other disposal. It was operated manually by remote control, which was connected to the vehicle by a cable that could be extended for up to 100 metres, allowing the operator to observe the explosives and the environment through the camera on the vehicle.



Bomb Disposal Officer demonstrated how to use the electrically powered track-driven “wheelbarrow” for handling bombs and terrorist devices, 1970s.Bomb Disposal Officer demonstrated how to use the electrically powered track-driven “wheelbarrow” for handling bombs and terrorist devices, 1970s.


Detective Badge, the 1920s

Since its formal establishment the Hong Kong Police Force has always had criminal investigation officers. Initially, these officers were part of the Uniform Branch rather than a dedicated department. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was not founded until 1923. Its offices were located in the then Police Headquarters. In the 1920s and 1930s, CID officers carried the Hong Kong Police Detective Badge, also known as the “undercover badge”.

A group photograph of detectives, the mid-1920s.A group photograph of detectives, the mid-1920s.


Chinese Police Officer’s “Big Head, Green Coat” Uniform, the early 20th century

At that time, the land-based Chinese police officers wore dark green uniforms and bamboos hats in the Qing Dynasty style. The Queen Victoria crown was painted on the conical round hat. They wore white socks and leggings and Chinese cloth shoes. They looked a bit big-headed and small-bodied, so they, together with the Indian police officers who had their heads wrapped in the turban, were often mocked as “big head green coat”.






Use of Technology

The revitalised Police Museum introduces a variety of new technology to create different thematic galleries and attractions to increase its attractiveness and enhance visitors’ understanding of the history and work of the Hong Kong Police Force.





Notable Cases

Notable Cases present a selection of Hong Kong’s landmark crime cases from the past. They are showcased in short films that help bring the shocking scenes back to life and enable us to understand how the detectives persisted in solving each case.




Contact Us


Address    27 Coombe Road, The Peak, Hong Kong
Tel           (852) 2849 7019
Fax          (852) 2849 4573
Email       policemuseum@police.gov.hk

Free Admission (Visiting Rules)

Group Visit (for group of 21 persons or more, please click here to complete the application form for Police Museum's arrangement)


Opening Hours
Tuesday to Sunday and Public Holidays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed on
Monday (except Public Holidays) and the first two days of the Chinese New Year

Public Transport
City Bus No. 15 (from Central Pier 5 to the Peak). Get off at the Wan Chai Gap Road Stop.

Hiking Trail to the Police Museum map



Route 1: Wong Nai Chung Gap Road petrol station > Black’s Link > Coombe Road
Route 2: Kennedy Road > Wan Chai Gap Raod (Wan Chai Green Trail) > Coombe Road
Route 3: Aberdeen Yue Kwong Chuen > Aberdeen Reservoir Road > Coombe Road

Friendly Reminder: Visitors are required to walk up a flight of stairs consisting of 55 steps to arrive at the Police Museum uphill. Those with mobility difficulties are encouraged to visit the “Virtual Tour” online.