In the Pictures

National Law Enforcement Museum Temporary Exhibition

In the Pictures: Portrayals of Law Enforcement in Film and Television

Open through Spring 2026

The National Law Enforcement Museum is proud to announce the opening of a special collection: In the Pictures: Portrayals of Law Enforcement in Film and Television.

The National Law Enforcement Museum is proud to announce the opening of a special collection: In the Pictures: Portrayals of Law Enforcement in Film and Television.

Since the earliest days of telling stories on film, law enforcement officers have been portrayed on screen. Across comedy, drama, and action, as both heroes and villains alike, law enforcement has been part of some of the most exciting and memorable stories told in the cinema and on television.

In the Pictures showcases images from the Museum’s collection that highlight the many different ways law enforcement has been depicted onscreen. From Dragnet to Dirty Harry, experience some of the most unforgettable law enforcement films and TV shows of the last 80 years.

Entry to the exhibit is included with general admission tickets.

The Officers as Artists Exhibit Catalog

Purchase a keepsake of the previous exhibit, The Officers as Artists Exhibit Catalog. The catalog provides photos of each piece, insight into each artist, and demonstrates context for our mission to honor the fallen, tell the story of American law enforcement, and make it safer for those who serve.

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