The forerunner of the Police Museum was the Police Historical Records Committee formed in 1964 which collected a significant number of artifacts relating to the history of the Force and proposed the foundation of a museum to display them. Originally housed in Police Headquarters, the Police Museum was started in a limited form in 1976 and later moved to Tai Sang Commercial Building in Wan Chai, and moved to the present site in 1988.

    The Museum is divided into five galleries; Orientation Gallery, Triad Societies and Narcotics Gallery 'Police Then & Now' Gallery, Current Exhibition Gallery and Heroin Factory. It has a total floor area of 570 sq.m. in which over 700 exhibits are displayed.

    Orientation Gallery - This gallery describes the general history of the Force through historical photographs, historical archives, uniforms, equipment, firearms and other artifacts. Significant exhibits include the head of the 'Sheung Shui Tiger' which was shot in 1915 after killing a policeman, the donation of memorabilia from the widow of a former Commissioner of Police, Mr. Duncan MacIntosh, a 'Plague Medal' of 1894 and examples of counterfeit banknotes.

    Triad Societies and Narcotics Gallery - this gallery features the history of local Triad Societies, the scope of their activities and the beliefs and rituals that have been known to be practised by members. This gallery also highlights the narcotic problem in Hong Kong through the display of replica drugs, drug smoking and trafficking paraphernalia and an example of a heroin manufacturing laboratory.

    Police Then & Now Gallery - this exhibition gives an overview of the transformation of Hong Kong Police Force over 160 years by exploring several areas of interest. The history of the Hong Kong Police Force is closely tied to the History of Hong Kong itself and it is hoped that through this exhibition, the History of Hong Kong can be seen from another perspective.

    Current Exhibition Gallery - this gallery is a thematic exhibition gallery with displays being changed from time to time. The first display carried the theme of 'Marine Police' and was later followed by exhibitions on the 'Traffic Police', 'Police Station', 'Police Uniform',' Hong Kong Police: Then and Now ', ' Police Dog Unit ' and 'Gems of Collection: Police Artefacts in Modern China'. The current display is on '25 Years at the Front: A History of Police Escorts in Hong Kong (1986-2011)'. The exhibition will last till April 29, 2012.

    Heroin Factory - this gallery specially displays a heroin production site which was dismantled by the Police in 1980s. The seized raw materials, utensils, stoves and packaging tools are used to reconstruct the manufacturing of heroin, and allowed the visitors to learn about the menace of drugs.