Force Curator Dr Lam Kam-yuen and Force Museum Advisory Committee Member Maurice Watterson attended the Second International Police Museums' Conference held in the Royal New Zealand Police College at Porirua near Wellington, New Zealand (NZ) earlier this year.

The First International Police Museums' Conference was held in Budapest, Hungary, in 2001, and attended by approximately 12 international representatives. The NZ conference attracted 25 delegates from four continents. The theme of the conference was "The Heart of Police: Police Museums and Strategic Engagement". The major aim was to provide a unique opportunity to study how museums could achieve meaningful and mutually beneficial engagement with stakeholders and communities. Also discussed were the possibility of organising regional conferences and a proposal to establish a formal network of police museums worldwide to encourage support and collaboration. The Force representatives gleaned much valuable information on museum relocation and re-provisioning, particularly the experience of the Victoria Police, Australia.

Interestingly, there was a developing trend to move away from the traditional exhibits display type museum to a more modern style that involved increased interaction with visitors via technology and user-friendly devices. Modern museums tend to be more youth-orientated in nature and to reach out to their communities with a view to integrating closely with them rather than almost standing apart in virtual isolation from the community.

A noted trend was for museums to tie-in their themes more closely to ally with the aims of the Police Forces that they represented. For example, one focused on an anti-juvenile crime theme whilst another was planning to introduce a recruitment drive theme for their Forces. Some were also considering teaching their Police Force history as a subject in their Police College curriculum. One was planning to go very high-tech, aiming to purchase an interactive electronic computer book and introduce a blue tooth download capability to allow visitors to listen to exhibit commentary on their mobile phones as they tour the museum.

The conference was accorded a very high level of recognition by the New Zealand authorities. The Acting Commissioner of the Royal New Zealand Police officiated at the opening ceremony of the conference. On his arrival, members of the NZ Force performed a traditional "Powhiri" (Maori welcome) with electrifying enthusiasm.

The hospitality extended to the Force representatives throughout their stay was second to none. During the course of the conference, a formal dinner (NZ Police Museum Centennial Dinner) was held where the Guest of Honour was the Minister of Police representing the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Helen Clark, and all had a great time.

Overall, the conference provided a great opportunity for the Force representatives to share their experiences with the participants and exchange information and ideas. It was also a unique opportunity to establish network with officers from across the globe, which has already proven successful, as in early May the Force hosted a visit by a staff member from an Australian Police Museum.

Acting Commissioner Lyn Provost (fourth from right, front row) opens the conference