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29 Aug 2012

£5.5m Treasury funding for Northern Ireland police museum plans

The RUC George Cross Foundation has secured £5.5m from the Treasury towards a new museum at the Police Service of Northern Ireland's (PSNI) headquarters in Knock, Belfast.

Located close to the Police Memorial Garden, the new attraction will examine the history of policing across the island of Ireland and will replace the existing Police Museum - housed in one small room.

The museum will cover policing developments from the foundation of uniformed policing in 1814 through to the present day, with artefacts including documents, uniform and medals to go on display.

At the centre of the exhibition will be The Oral History - a record of experiences as told by members of the police force and extended family over the years. It is hoped 500 recordings will be completed by the end of the year.

RUC George Cross Foundation chair Jim McDonald said: "The allocation of a substantial budget direct from the Treasury is obviously crucial to the success of the project and we can now move on to the next stage.

"Policing in Ireland set the template for policing throughout the world and there is a rich story to be told, supported by an amazing collection of artefacts."

It is anticipated the museum will open within three years and will complement a similar display unveiled by An Garda Siochana at Dublin Castle, Ireland.

Click here for more information about the RUC George Cross Foundation.