Collections
PRESERVING CALGARY POLICE HISTORY
YouthLink Calgary: Police Interpretive Centre hosts Alberta’s largest collection of policing artifacts, including uniforms, weapons, vehicles, historic casefiles, and historic evidence.
Our vast collection of policing artifacts continues to grow almost daily. From policing tools to Calgary Police uniforms, we collect all manner of law enforcement implements, uniforms, and regalia. We also actively collect personal mementos and memorabilia of current and former Calgary Police members. By the numbers our artifact collection includes:
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- Over 2000 uniform items including: shirts, pants, boots, belts, gloves, and headwear
- More than 4000 regalia pieces including: pins, buttons, badges, uniform flashes, and medals
- Excess of 1000 artifacts that illustrate the way science and the art of photography has evolved through the 20th century
- Tools and occupational equipment both unique to policing and universally necessary such as: radios, computers, call boxes, radar guns, breathalyzers, body armour, and much more!
If you are in possession of any items that you think may be of interest to the Calgary Police Interpretive Centre’s collection and are willing to consider a donation to the museum, please send an email with the history and description of the item to us at archives.
Skyline
Calgary Skyline - Familiar faces guard the burgeoning "skyline" of Calgary in 1939. Photo snapped by Detective Percy Frazer (P.F.) of the Calgary Police Identification Section in 1939.
Bill
Sgt. Bill Eager, 1938 - Image from nitrate negative
Apts
1940 - Image from nitrate negative
punch buggy
1939 - Image from nitrate negative.
pg 55-56
"Calgary No. 2" p.55-56 mugshot book, 1918-1920
pg 30-31
"Calgary No.2" p.30-31 mugshot book, 1918-1920
polygraph
Room sign (exterior)
camera
Calumet Monorail Camera, date unknown
cowboy hat
CPS Issue Stetson, by Smithbilt Hat Inc., 2015
crime scene tape
Crime Scene Tape, 2012
shoulder flash
Shoulder Flash (for uniform) c.1972
fingerprint powder
Fingerprint powder bottles, assorted
bus crash
Image from acetate negative, 1970
coveralls
Police issue coveralls, 2002
flashlight box
Flash Light Box by the Gamewell Co. date unknown
smith & wesson
Police issue Smith & Wesson Revolver, c.1975
facial kit
Facial identification kit. Date unknown
badges
Police Identification Badges, 1905-1910
helmet
Bobby Helmet, 1938
1950 shoulder flash
Shoulder flash (for uniform) circa 1950
newspaper
Calgary Herald Front page December, 1974
trolly
Image on Nitrate negative, 1939
Kerosene Lantern, Unknown Date
Identification Sign Used for Mugshots, circa. 1950-1960s
Door Lock, circa. 1980s
Police Service Horse Name Plate, circa. 2000s
Chemical Weight Scale, circa 1979
Bullet Mold, circa. 1920-1947
Breathalyzer, circa. 1970-1980s
Bike License, circa. 1964
Canine Dog Boot, circa. 1970s
Blackberry Mobile Device, circa. 1993-2003
Radar Gun, circa. 1960s
Pantyhose, circa. 1970s
Distraction Device, circa. 1990s
FROM THE COLLECTIONS – ONLINE EXHIBIT – LIEUTENANT DAVID MILNE
Lieutenant David Milne was born in Scotland on April 25th, 1888. In 1910, he immigrated to Canada and joined the Calgary Police Force. After three years of exemplary service, Milne was promoted to the rank of Detective. With the advent of WWI, Detective Milne enlisted, joining the ranks of the 89th Calgary Battalion. He was one of 26 Calgary Police Force members to enlist in active service during the 1914-1918 conflict.
During his military career, Milne served a large portion of his time in England, where he bounced between 3 different battalions. He was promoted to the role of Lieutenant on January 26th, 1918, and assigned to the 10th Battalion, an Alberta-strong regiment that had been at the front lines since 1915. This battalion participated in every major Canadian battle of the first world war and was known to its contemporaries as the Fighting Tenth. He led his Battalion bravely through the Battle of Amiens conquering 7 miles of German territory from August 8th– 20th. This battle marked the beginning of the Hundred Days Offensive, which ultimately led to the end of the war.
On September 2nd, 1918, Milne tragically fought his final battle, being the Sunken Road of Villers-les-Cagnicourt, France. German soldiers ambushed his battalion and Milne suffered fatal bullet wounds to his abdomen. He was buried in France in a small cemetery called Upton Wood, alongside 218 of his fallen comrades. He was survived by his wife Nellie Milne and their young daughter Frances Milne.
In early 2023, our museum collection was extremely privileged to acquire the military medal collection that had been awarded to Lieutenant Milne posthumously. Pictured here is the collection in its entirety.
