Our Story
Big news! We’ve changed our name, but not our mission.
Our story
After nearly three decades as YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre, we’ve evolved into something even more powerful: The Calgary Police Discovery Centre. It’s a new name and a bold step forward into a future where crime prevention, public safety, and discovery go hand-in-hand.
We’re still the same award-winning, non-profit team deeply embedded within the Calgary Police Service, passionately innovative in our approach, and wildly committed to helping communities stay safe. What’s changed is the way we tell our story, how we invite you to be a part of it, and what you’ll experience when you walk through our doors.
From YouthLink to the Calgary Police Discovery Centre
MISSION
To be the ultimate destination for crime prevention, education, and storytelling—offering real insights, hands-on learning, and unforgettable experiences that inform, engage, and empower.
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VISION
To establish the Calgary Police Discovery Centre as a premier destination for immersive crime education, recognized across Canada, and celebrated for community impact, innovation, and unforgettable storytelling.
How We Got Here:
Our purpose has never wavered: to create a safer Calgary by connecting people with the knowledge, skills, and curiosity to prevent crime and understand the world of policing.
- 1968: Calgary Police's original “Black Museum” exhibit debuts.
- 1995: The Interpretive Centre opens downtown with a focus on youth crime prevention.
- 2007: We become YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre.
- 2015: We relocate to a new, purpose-built facility at CPS Westwinds Campus.
- 2025: Say hello to the Calgary Police Discovery Centre!
Our Unique Model
We’re an award winning nonprofit. Officially, we’re a registered charity and strategic partner of the Calgary Police Service. Our staff aren’t officers, but we work side-by-side with them, guided by a formal agreement that ensures transparency, alignment, and shared purpose.
We also maintain the official historical collection and archives of the Calgary Police Service and serve as a hub for public exhibits, community programs, and unforgettable true crime events.
What You Can Expect
Think you know museums? Think again.
At the Calgary Police Discovery Centre, you can:
- Learn how to stay safe from crime
- Solve real crime scenarios using authentic police tools
- Learn from officers, experts, and forensic pros
- Dive into the past and future of policing
- Explore as a family, a student, or a lifelong learner
- Walk in the boots of Calgary’s law enforcement legends
Donations
Let’s Build a Safer Future Together.
Safety begins with knowledge. It begins with conversations.
And sometimes, it begins with a single moment of understanding that can change a young person’s path.
We’re telling Calgary’s crime story. AND we’re helping write a safer future.
Come discover it with us.
