Today, Miami is such a melting pot of races and cultures that for many it may be hard to imagine what it was like in the 1950s when segregation was alive and all too real in the city. Well, it was. Separate communities for blacks and whites, meant separate policing and a separate police precinct and courthouse too.
The Black Police
Precinct and Courthouse was designed and built specifically to provide a
segregated base of operations for Miami’s black police officers and judge. At
the time, the Black Precinct and Courthouse was the first and only one of its
kind, recognized as a pioneer in trying to bring some level of equality to
policing in the black community. The precinct closed in 1963 when the police
department was integrated into the main Miami police precinct after segregation
ended. Today, it houses the Black Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum.
The Black Police
Precinct and Courthouse Museum is not only a pillar of history for the African
American community, but for Miami as well. It's not a large museum and does not
contain many artifacts. What it does have is plenty of history and information.
Since it is ran by the City of Miami Retired Police Officers Community
Benevolent Association, your visit to the museum means meeting and having the
opportunity to speak with a retired police officer of the City of Miami Police
Department and possibly one whom served in the Black precinct who has vast
personal knowledge of policing in the city of Miami.
It is not a typical
museum and not at all what you might expect. It is a one of a kind experience
though. Visit the museum and learn the history of the "First Five" and
so much more.
Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum
480 NW 11th St, Miami, FL 33136
Admission Prices
$15 per person
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 10:00AM–4:00PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00AM–4:00PM |
| Thursday | 10:00AM–4:00PM |
| Friday | 10:00AM–4:00PM |
| Saturday | 10:00AM–4:00PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
