Norway’s first Chief of Police was appointed in Trondheim in 1686, but it was not until one hundred years later that Norwegian police put on their first uniform. A reconstruction of this 1796 uniform can be seen in the exhibit. It was in the same style as the Danish uniform and took inspiration from the army uniform.

Police in Norway were locally run until 1936. Each county had their own variations and often wore the coat of arms of the county.

The uniforms show how the police have always followed the latest fashion trends, from the British bobby hat, to the French kepi. If the police were to look “old fashioned” or “outdated” they would risk losing their authority.

In 1936 the police became state run, and a standard uniform was introduced. Towards the end of the exhibit you can find the first official woman’s uniform from 1959. They had to wear the skirt until 1973.

You can find the Uniform exhibit on the first floor in the western wing, right off the rotunda.