Sculpture ‘The Sleuth’

On October 28, 2020 the sculpture ‘The Sleuth’ was erected at the intersection of S. Nėries and Vilties streets, which is intended to commemorate the work of criminal police officers. The Klaipėda criminal police veterans club came up with the idea to commemorate the work of criminalists.

Initially, a place for the sculpture was considered on the bank of the Dangė River, under the bridge, in front of the old building of the Klaipėda County Chief Police Commissariat, on Jūros St., but it turned out to be unsuitable for the commission responsible for the image of the city, so finally it was decided to erect the sculpture at the intersection of S. Neries and Vilties streets. It also took a long time to adjust the pose of the sculpture; various options were offered – a detective with or without a hat, a hand under a cloak or in another position, but finally the original option, which suited everyone, was chosen.

The ‘Sleuth’ sculpture is a human-size figure cast from bronze, standing on the sidewalk, next to a brick fence. A bronze ‘officer’ in a raincoat and hat is leaning against the fence, head tilted, as if watching what’s happening around the corner.

The badge of the interwar Lithuanian Criminal Police is pinned to the lapel of the bronze criminalist’s cloak. If you rub it like a chimney sweeper’s button, you will avoid trouble, meetings with pickpockets, robbers; and will be lucky and live in peace.

The sleuth’s sculpture in the city is the first monumental work in Lithuania to pay tribute to police activities. Funds for the sculpture were donated by police officers, veterans and law enforcement officials.