A Harley on display in the NYC Police Museum

The elegant ostrich and sable brushes lie next to vials of colored liquids and opalescent powders.   The vanity of a well-heeled model?  A Broadway diva?  No, it's the exhibit on the development of fingerprinting techniques in the New York City Police Museum.

This highly engrossing and enlightening facility was established in 1922 and housed until 1999 at the Police Academy, where it was something of an undiscovered treasure.   In March, the museum appropriately moved to its present home at 100 Old Slip--the landmark home of the City's First Police Precinct.

100 Old Slip -- the downtown Police Museum

The most searing section of the exhibit includes the battered personal effects of three police officers who died in the 9/11 carnage, on loan with permission from the families.   The gun belt, shield, keys and collar brass of Police Officer Moira A. Smith, the only female NYPD officer to perish on 9/11, are displayed in silent eloquence.

On the second floor, "Go Forth and Serve" highlights the diverse roles performed by all the units of the force--the ESU, the Traffic and School Safety Divisions and so on.   The last part of the 9/11 exhibit, "Fidelis Ad Mortem" (Faithful unto Death, the motto of the police force), is on the third floor, and is designed to help bring closure to the tragedy.  Also on the third floor is the museum's most somber, solemn presentation, "The Hall of Heroes," where tribute is paid to officers who have perished in the line of duty.

The permanent exhibits are a wealth of information:   A history of the force's uniforms (women finally got rid of their impractical skirts in 1973 and were given far more functional trousers); a historical timeline of badges (the originals were copper, one reason why it's thought that the term "copper" was used as slang for a police officer); the day, night and parade "sticks" of officers (ivory is traditionally used for the ceremonial, pageant and parade sticks).

The museum also has a bookstore and sells officially licensed NYPD merchandise.

The museum is wheelchair-accessible and is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and closed Monday.

To get to the museum, take the 1 or 2 subway lines to Wall Street, the 4 or 5 to Bowling Green, or the N or R to Whitehall.  By bus, take the M15 to Wall Street.  For more information on the museum, call 212-480-3100 or visit www.nycpolicemuseum.org.

TEST YOUR METTLE:   WALK IN A POLICE OFFICER'S SHOES The caller was frantic.   The 911 operator tried coolly to extract vital info.  The dispatcher then quickly put out the "1052 Family" (assault within domestic situation) radio call, and because yours was the nearest squad car, you and your partner responded.  It's a common call, but potential danger always looms behind even seemingly benign calls.  You enter a private home, where three people are simultaneously wailing, trying to tell you what is happening.   You try to get one solid stream of information, but one person is bleeding and you need to know if the perp is armed. Your partner takes the lead as you proceed down the hallway toward the harrowingly loud shrieking.   She opens the door to a bedroom and enters as you scan the room.  Adrenaline levels are soaring.     An historic NYC police medal On the bed a large, frenzied man, is beating a screaming woman.   You draw your Glock 9 mm to back up your partner, who tries to calm him down "by the book."  Then, the unthinkable happens: The man grabs her service revolver and gets off a shot…at you! You return the fire.  Your shot is a perfect bull's eye…right into the middle of a painting, a solid foot above the man's head.  But his shot is a clean hit, and you're…uh, dead! Luckily, this was only a simulation, one of nearly a dozen scenarios featured in the Firearms Training Simulator (FTS), a tool that the New York City Police Department uses to train recruits.   Even experienced officers are required to do an annual run of the FTS gauntlet.  Located on the museum's third floor, the FTS affords an opportunity to handle a specially fitted, computer-connected weapon, and to walk in the footsteps of a police officer for a few stress-filled split seconds, testing judgment, reflexes and marksmanship.  After your virtual tour of duty, the staff will replay the video, and with the help of computer graphics, you'll see whether you're leaving the museum in one piece or…gulp… in a body bag!