Have you ever wanted to sit behind the wheel of a police car and work the sirens and lights? You can at the Indiana State Police Museum in Indianapolis. The museum has displays of police cars, patches, badges, uniforms, weapons (both firearms and non-lethal), and even a confiscated still as well as John Dillinger's death mask.
Best and Worst Times to Go to the Indiana State Police Museum
Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, with tours available by appointment only on Saturdays. There is very little heavy traffic unless a group is touring that day, in which case you may want to arrive before or after the group.
Must See/Do at the Indiana State Police Museum
For those of us who've wondered what it's like on the other side of the police lights, a double-headed 1990 Chevrolet Impala is on display--while the car is not streetworthy (the sign on it remarks "Imagine the confusion"), you can turn on the still-functional lights and sirens while wearing a police-issue hat. Also worth seeing is the John Dillinger display, where you can see the wooden Colt 38 used in his escape from the "escape-proof" prison in Crown Point, Indiana. If you've ever been curious about the history of breath devices used to detect intoxication, check out the Drunkometer, which was invented in 1938 by Indiana University professor Rolla Harger. The Indiana State Police were the first to use the device, which required that the suspect breathe into a balloon that was then emptied into a chemical solution that changed color when alcohol was present (it was replaced by the IU professor Robert Borkenstein's Breathalyzer in 1954, which was more portable and did not need to be completely reset after each use).
Admission to the Indiana State Police Museum
Admission is free.
Parking and Public Transportation to the Indiana State Police Museum
The museum has its own parking lot, and parking is free. The museum is located on IndyGo's Route 21, which runs every hour. Call IndyGo for more information.
Food at the Indiana State Police Museum
Food is not available at the museum itself, but it is located near several restaurants and a strip mall. The strip mall has several fast food restaurants, and Papa Roux is about ten blocks away--the po boys and garlic stew are delicious. Also nearby is soul food restaurant His Place Eatery.
Insider Tip for the Indiana State Police Museum
There is a gift shop that sells Indiana State Police merchandise to civilians. A personal favorite was the pistol case.
Author's bio: Becky Oberg is a professional writer who has lived in Indianapolis on and off for almost thirty years. Her hobbies include acting, cooking, singing, writing, and playing video games.