The National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C., has announced that it is offering free admission to all active and retired law enforcement officers every Saturday for the remainder of 2022 in honor of their service and sacrifice.
The costs will be covered by a generous donation from AT&T’s FirstNet, a high-speed wireless broadband network that allows first responders and emergency personnel to communicate more efficiently without relying on commercial traffic.
Located just across the street from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, the museum was created by the nonprofit National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), whose mission is to remember and honor fallen officers and improve safety for present and future officers. The site aims to tell the story of American law enforcement through immersive and interactive programs that allow visitors to “walk in the shoes” of police officers and other first responders, educating the public about the sacrifices of law enforcement and the work they do on a daily basis.
“The National Law Enforcement Museum exists to share the vibrant story of American law enforcement,” Marcia Ferranto, CEO of the NLEOMF, said in a statement. “This collaboration with AT&T helps us continue that mission by making the museum more accessible to our nation’s law enforcement heroes.”
According to a press release from the nonprofit, the museum covers nearly 300 years of law enforcement history. The newest exhibit, “Post-9/11: The Evolution of American Law Enforcement,” sponsored by FirstNet, educates visitors on the changes that affected the profession following the September 11 terror attacks, focusing on the increased cooperation between public and private and federal and local agencies to enhance public safety.
FirstNet President Jason Porter said the museum honors first responders who gave their all to serve and protect. “This exhibit honors the first responders who sacrificed their lives and showed our country the importance of public safety. We are honored to be a part of this remembrance,” he said. “This museum highlights the importance of duty, sacrifice and leadership among first responders. We look forward to continuing to aid in this important mission and providing support to the current law enforcement community.”
Visitors to the museum can also try out a L3Harris PatrolSim, the only patrol driving simulator in the country outside of police training academies, and the virtual Decision-Making Training Simulator, which demonstrates how law enforcement officers have to make instant life-or-death decisions every day on the job. Another hands-on exhibit called “Take the Case” allows visitors to experience what the job of a detective and forensic scientist is like, examining evidence with technologies used in real-life investigations. And the museum’s Hall of Remembrance pays a moving tribute to the officers killed in the line of duty each year, featuring the names and photographs of the fallen.
The National Law Enforcement Museum is located at 444 E St. NW in Washington, D.C. Visit https://nleomf.org/museum/admission or the museum’s ticket desk to secure your tickets.
