Cleveland Police Museum

12/21/2025

12/19/2025

We were honored to host the badge pinning ceremony for the 159th Academy Class of the Cleveland Division of Police.

12/18/2025

New Donation: Our friends at the Bay Village Historical Society recently passed along a wonderful collection of photographs, including this image of the officers assigned to the 11th Precinct. Notice the different styles of hats and uniform jackets. The 11th Precinct was located at 1963 E. 105th from 1893-1961. This photo is from the earlier years of the precinct's history.

https://www.clevelandpolicemuseum.org/historical/police-buildings-eleventh-precinct-1963-e-105th-street-1893-1961

12/15/2025

"December always brings traffic headaches of bad weather, short days and holiday excitement. If all of us, whether we are motorists, pedestrians or parents of sleigh-riding youngsters, cross accidents off our Christmas list.” So said Eliot Ness's accident prevention unit when they launched a new campaign to keep Cleveland's streets safe.

When Eliot Ness became Cleveland's Public Safety Director in 1935, Cleveland had the highest traffic fatality rate in the country. Ness developed a four-pronged approach to address this sad safety record: creation of the Accident Investigation Unit; establishment of a police ambulance force; implementing high-profile police patrols throughout the city; and launching the Accident Prevention Unit, a program to educate the public on traffic safety.

In 1939, the Accident Prevention Unit along with the Community Relations Department launched the “Save a Life for Christmas” campaign. The slogan had been chosen at a Cleveland Safety Council meeting in November. The police distributed over 25,000 posters bearing the slogan and a picture of Santa Claus in an attempt to raise traffic safety awareness, especially among the throngs of holiday shoppers filling Cleveland’s downtown streets.
The police even recruited Santa to help with the campaign! Patrolman John C. Chevin of the Public Relations Bureau traveled the city as Santa Claus, preaching safety and stressing the slogan: Save a Life for Christmas. He was chosen because of his jolly soul and also because he was a first class actor.

https://www.clevelandpolicemuseum.org/eliot-ness/eliot-nesss-save-a-life-for-christmas-campaign

12/13/2025

43 Years, What an Amazing Tradition. Thank You Volunteers.

12/09/2025

Our curator, Evan Cerne-Iannone, created a great video about the death of John Nardi. It features items from our archives and interviews with our wonderful volunteers Pat Reynolds and Bob Cermak

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

12/09/2025

Heroes Roll Call: Lieutenant Edward G. Lentz, #14

The Cleveland Police Museum is honored to tell the stories of our Fallen Officers on the anniversary of their End of Watch. On December 9, 1957, while on supervisory patrol duty, Lentz was flagged down by Alonzo Buchanan. Three men invaded Buchanan’s home, stole three guns and $425.00. Lentz drove...

12/08/2025

Heroes Roll Call: Captain Jerome C. Poelking, #28

The Cleveland Police Museum is honored to tell the stories of our Fallen Officers on the anniversary of their End of Watch.

12/06/2025

Did you know that the first Mr. Jingeling was a Cleveland police officer?

Mr. Jingeling was created in 1956 by Frank Jacobi of Jacobi Advertising in Chicago to promote the toys sold at Halle’s Department Store.

The first Mr. Jingeling was Cleveland Police Officer Thomas V. Moviel, Badge Number 1575. Officer Movile was assigned to the Jail Unit and brought several jail cell keys to use as “props” as part of his costume. These keys actually were kept on a large metal key ring and used to lock and unlock cell doors. The idea was so successful Mr. Jingeling was invited to do short segments on the Captain Penny television show. In order for Officer Moviel to appear on TV, he would have had to join the Actors Guild. He had seven children and just could not afford the union dues. He continued as Mr. Jingeling in the store that year but was replaced the next season.

https://www.clevelandpolicemuseum.org/historical/the-first-mr-jingeling/

12/01/2025

We Honor Our December Fallen Heroes.

The Cleveland Police Museum in honored to tell the stories of our Fallen Officers on the anniversaries of their End of Watch. These officers made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting and serving the City of Cleveland. Learn their stories at www.clevelandpolicemuseum.org/heroes

11/27/2025

Stay Safe Out There.

11/26/2025

Published in The Cleveland Plain Dealer on November 27, 1939.

Cleveland Police planned to celebrate the first birthday of its new Two-Way Radio along with the implementation of the Main 1234 emergency telephone system on December 4, 1939 .

Pictured in the Radio Room of Central Police Station, 2001 Payne Avenue, are Patrolmen William L. Perry 1128, Frank E. Cook 310, Harold Penseyres 44, Walter A. Black 863, and Dispatcher Clarence Ebersole. Inspector Timothy J. Costello is standing on the right and Sergeant Glenn A. Rogers is on the left.

Seated in a Radio Equipped Patrol Car are (left to right) Sergeant Clyde R. K***z & Patrolman William A. Kammerer 280.