Not only is the Norfolk Police department one of the oldest in the United States but he Norfolk Police Museum is the oldest museum in Norfolk. The Fire-Rescue museum and the Police museum has on exhibit artifacts from the time of the history of the police and fire departments of Norfolk. There are police weapons dating back to the War of 1812, early photographs, uniforms, badges, patches, handcuffs and other equipment used by the police department from its beginnings till the present time and Fire equipment dating back to the beginning of the fire department. There are pompier fire ladders, classic hose carts and brass slide poles.