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Police forces, by their very nature, have always been averse to throwing things away. Oddments have collected over the years into small displays, the forgotten corners of storerooms and the private collections of officers. During the 1960s and 70s, when the Cheshire Constabulary became the main overall force, many of these items were collected into a display at the Force Training Centre at Crewe. This display however was not open to the public. Documents were deposited at the Cheshire County Archives at Chester.
On retirement PC Peter Wroe began to organise items at Warrington into a museum. He greatly added to the exhibits by persuading former officers and their relatives to donate their private collections. Together with former PC Jim Talbot a large amount of documentary information was also collected and organised.
In 2004 the Crewe Centre closed and the exhibits came to Warrington. The size of the collection was then such that a more formal structure had to be established to manage it.
In 2006 The Museum of Policing in Cheshire was formed as a private trust with a board of management under the trustees. Peter Wroe was appointed as Curator. The museum's objective is to advance public knowledge of the evolution, development and role of policing in the County of Cheshire from its inception to the present day. It does this by collecting, preserving and researching anything connected with policing in the County and making the results available to the public as displays in the museum, by publishing and on this web site. In 2007 the museum was opened to educational groups.
The naming of the museum indicates that its remit is all of the forces which were, at any time, part of the County of Cheshire. Many of the smaller forces have disappeared on amalgamation or with changes to the County boundaries. The museum is independent of the Cheshire Constabulary although the force does supply generous logistical support.
The
museum is not just for the police. Policing is a integral part of our society
and of the history of the County of Cheshire. To emphasise this connection the
museum seeks links with many County institutions. The Grosvenor family is one of
England's oldest noble houses, their main seat being at Eaton near Chester. They
have always had friendly links with the Constabulary and the museum is delighted
that the current head of the family, The Duke of Westminster, has agreed to
become its patron.
The museum is run on a voluntary basis with expenses being met by the donations of its supporters. From 2007 the museum has been open to groups by appointment. It is applying for charity status and hopes to be able to qualify for grants which will enable the public to have more access.