Ever wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes at the Edmonds Police Department? The department is planning a celebration for its centennial anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 16, and the public is invited to tour the department from noon-5 p.m.

The community that became Edmonds developed from the original homestead of George Brackett in 1876. Edmonds was officially incorporated in 1890, and on the police department was established on Oct. 16, 1912.

Visitors who attend the Sept. 16 open house will have an opportunity to see operations from inside the police station, view displays of police equipment, see a K-9 team in action, and examine the police vehicles and the mobile communications van. They can also witness the public unveiling of three recently-completed, historically- significant murals painted inside the police station by artist Andy Eccleshall.

The mural project includes a depiction of the various badge designs used throughout the department’s history, a uniform patch and an image of the original police station, now home to the Edmonds Museum at 118 5th Ave. N. The former police station/current museum building was constructed with a grant from the Carnegie Foundation, and originally housed the library on the upper floor and City Hall on the lower floor.  The original Edmonds Police Station was located on that lower level.  The brick and stone building has since been placed on the National Register of Historic Buildings and currently houses the Edmonds Museum.

The mural was the brainchild of Edmonds Police Department employees and was completed without cost to the City of Edmonds.  The three-phase project was made possible by support from the Edmonds Police Foundation, Campbell-Nelson Volkswagen/Nissan, the Edmonds Historical Museum, public donations and contributions from Edmonds Police Department staff.

“The artwork provides police employees and station visitors a convenient reminder of our humble beginnings 100 years ago,” Edmonds police spokesman Sgt. Mike Blackburn said. In 1912, the police department was staffed by one marshal.  Today Edmonds, with a population of over 39,000 residents, is served by 54 commissioned officers and 11 civilian staff members.

As part of the centennial anniversary, the Edmonds Historical Museum is presenting its exhibit, “Stick ‘Em Up! Celebrating 100 years of the Edmonds Police Department.”  The museum exhibit runs through Nov. 4.