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St Mary's Finchley was originally built sometime in the 12th century, and it is documented from the 1270s. The building has been altered many times. The oldest parts of the north wall and the tower date from the reign of Henry VII. In 1872 the church was enlarged. Bombing in 1940 led to the substantial rebuilding of the church in 1953. There is a brass plate to Richard Prate (d.1487), and the monument to Alexander King (d.1618) and his wife are in marble.

The College was opened on 31 May 1934 in the former buildings of Hendon Country Club, Hendon Aerodrome's clubhouse. The school was the brainchild of Hugh Trenchard, who was the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police from 1931 to 1935. Trenchard's college was founded upon a modern and scientific approach to training. There were forensic science laboratories, detective training facilities and a police driving school.