Mini Museum opens in Tavistock to celebrate policing history in Devon and Cornwall

Decades of policing history in Devon and Cornwall was celebrated with the official opening of a new ‘mini’ museum in Tavistock.

The Museum of Policing in Devon and Cornwall (MOPIDAC) unveiled its premises last week (5 March) and guests at the special event included the Acting Chief Constable of Devon & Cornwall Police - Jim Colwell, the High Sheriff of Devon – the Rt Rev Nicholas McKinnel (who was previously a police chaplain in Plymouth), the Mayor of Tavistock – Councillor Andy Hutton, and Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly - Alison Hernandez.  

Jim Colwell, Acting Chief Constable of Devon & Cornwall Police, said: “I was delighted to be invited to the official opening of the mini museum in Tavistock and see for myself the hard work that has gone into the project.

“I applaud the efforts of all the volunteers, trustees and others over the years who have got the museum to this point.”

He added: “It is fantastic that Devon and Cornwall’s policing heritage is being preserved in this way and we can celebrate the new public accessibility which means more people in our communities can enjoy the artefacts and memorabilia on display, as well as learn more about the history of the force.”

The mini museum is the result of years of perseverance to find a premises where artefacts, documents and photographs charting Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s policing history and heritage can be displayed to the public.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez, cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony which was held at Tavistock’s Court Gate building in Bedford Square.

The building was suggested for the museum site some years ago and funding was secured through a grant to sign a long-term lease. The museum team is now working towards achieving Museum Accreditation, which means following national standards in managing the collection.

After the official opening, a short dedication was held inside the building to honour Trustee Bill Tupman, who played a pivotal role in founding the museum.

Bill, aged 74, died in March 2023 just weeks before the Court Gate lease was signed.

Pam Giles, museum volunteer and trustee, accepted an award from the High Sheriff of Devon on behalf of all the volunteers. She said: “I found it quite an emotional day, seeing the mini museum finally come to fruition after so long.

“I have been with the museum for 17 years since the beginning. There were six of us when we started and there’s no one left from that group now, apart from me.

“It was a very long time ago I sat in the conference room at Middlemoor Force HQ and was part of discussions about what was going to be done with the collection.”

Pam, who joined Devon & Cornwall Police in 1975 and retired in 2003, was the Force’s first resident female police motorcyclist. She said the search for a space where the public could see the collection had been on the wish-list for almost 20 years.

Pam added: “When I think back to those days, and what we are now, it’s just unbelievable. I was overcome, because people don’t know where we have been, what it’s taken to achieve, and what we have accomplished - it’s fantastic.

“To see everybody in the museum was just wonderful, and I thought of all the incredible people, past and present, who got it to that point.”

She added: “The museum is yesterday’s history and tomorrow’s future, keeping the past in the present, and that’s why we have got to keep it going. This is the first time the public will have unrestricted physical access to a section of the museum.”

“It’s something we’ve wanted to have for as long as I can remember. Seeing it open brought tears to my eyes.”

The museum stores its vast collection of artefacts at Okehampton Police Station and it also has an archive of documents and photographs which are kept at the Devon Heritage Centre, in Exeter. Items on display at Tavistock include a Dr Who style ‘Tardis’ police box, an old police bicycle and various items of clothing, along with police whistles, photos and a blue lamp.

Pam Giles, who also served as a District Inspector in south Devon, explained: “A lot of the archive and collection has been saved from skips and tips, and it’s important it is protected,”

“When people started forming the collection, they didn’t realise the importance of what they were doing. My hope now is for a permanent space for the collection and to see the digitisation project develop so more people have access to the archive.

“And I hope those who visit will continue to support the museum by becoming members.”

Greg White, MOPIDAC Chief Executive Officer, said: “Times have not always been as sweet or straightforward for the museum, so the team is grateful for the day-in, day-out commitment of trustees over years, plus our volunteer team. We couldn’t have accomplished half of what we have without them.

“The mini museum might be small, but it’s significant. The contents inside are but a tiny fraction of the collection and archive we look after.

“Now we have premises that are open to the public, we can look ahead to accreditation and fundraising partnerships, which have always been long hoped ambitions for the museum.”

The Museum of Policing in Devon and Cornwall is a registered charity supported by the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner to collect, preserve, and share the history of policing in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Planned exhibits for 2024 include personal stories charting the history of the region’s women in policing.

For more information about the museum and to check open days please visit www.dcpolicingmuseum.co.uk