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About the CPS
Our Mission:
"To optimize public safety
in the City of Calgary"
About The Calgary Police Service Interpretive Centre
Why was the centre built?
The Calgary Police Service Interpretive Centre was created to educate young people about crime, its consequences and the role of police in society. The concept of an Interpretive Centre grew out of community-based policing and the Service's growing concern about youth crime and violence. The facility was seen as a proactive policing strategy that could focus on young people before they commit crimes, rather than after.
How the centre began
As early as 1986, a group of police officers formed a committee with a mandate to create a police museum. The committee believed that if a museum were to be built to display police artifacts, it needed a meaningful purpose.
The idea of an Interpretive Centre to educate youth began to take shape in 1990. When the idea was introduced to the Calgary community in 1992, Calgarians - particularly those from the corporate sector - were quick to show their support. More than $700,000 in donations were received, and the centre opened its doors in September 1995.
Computer video terminals with four interactive educational and entertaining games, through which visitors can assume the roles of police officers and detectives, were later developed. Most recently, an interactive exhibit was added to increase public awareness - particularly among children - about domestic abuse and family violence. Once again, costs were covered through donations.
Where is the centre?
The centre is located on the second floor of the Police Administration Building at 316 7th Avenue S.E.. Access is via the +15 walkway going north from city hall.
Admission
| Adults 18 - 65: |
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$2.00 |
| All others: |
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Free |
Please note: Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Call 206-4566 for more information.
When can you visit?
Regular Hours *
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| Monday: |
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9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Wednesday: |
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12 p.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Friday: |
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Closed |
| Saturday: |
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12 p.m. - 4 p.m. ** |
| Sunday: |
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Closed |
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Summer Hours (July & August)
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| Monday to Friday: |
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9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Saturday: |
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12 p.m. - 4 p.m. ** |
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* The Interpretive Centre is closed on statutory holidays.
** Because volunteers run the centre on weekends, it's a good idea to phone ahead to confirm hours.
Group tours
School and community groups are welcome; however, due to the Centre's popularity, bookings must be made well in advance - at times, as much as a year. Only two evening bookings per week can be accommodated for community groups and must be booked well in advance.
The forensic science program, 'Where's the Evidence,' offered to Grades 5 to 8 is extremely popular and bookings must be made a year ahead. The program dovetails with the investigative unit that has been added to the Grade 6 science curriculum. Tuesday and Thursday and Wednesday mornings are reserved for the program.
For more information, please call 206-4566 or contact the booking co-ordinator at 206-2009.
The Society
The Calgary Police Service Museum Society was incorporated in 1988. It is a non-profit, charitable organization (charitable #0794222-50), which assists the Service with the development and promotion of Interpretive Centre educational exhibits and programs, both in-house and on an outreach basis. The Society works with the Service under the operational name of YouthLink. The board of directors is composed of 15 individuals representing the local community.
The administration
Janet Pieschel is the Executive Director of both the Interpretive Centre and the museum society. Her team consists of a small staff and more than 75 volunteers.
Volunteers
Volunteers make it possible for the CPS Interpretive Centre and Call Box Gift Shop to operate. They conduct all school tours and deliver the centre's curriculum-based forensic science program. A group of more than 75 volunteers works at the centre and fills a vital role. Each volunteer is a valuable and much appreciated asset of the centre.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer for the Interpretive Centre, please call 206-8927.
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