Frequently Asked Questions

The person requesting a Police Department open record (police accident report, incident report, background check, etc) may fill out a request form or formulario de solicitud de registros abiertos and send/email the form to the Police Department. They can also make requests via phone (262-473-0555 option 1) or email (police@whitewater-wi.gov).  All open record requests are reviewed and may take up to 10 business days depending on the length of the request and what is being requested.  A fee may be charged based on your request.

Please call 262-473-0555 (option 1) for any Police Department open records questions.  Hours for the Police Department's Inner Lobby and Records Department are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The offices are closed on holidays.

Citizens having a legitimate interest in observing police patrol operations may request to ride-along with an officer of the Whitewater Police Department. Citizens may make such requests by calling the Police Department at 262-473-0555.

Call 911 for all emergencies. Crimes can be reported to the police department 24/7 in person or by calling our communications center at 262-473-0555 option 4. Information can also be reported to Walworth County Crime Stoppers at 262-723-2677.

Please refer to Municipal Code Chapter 7.62 on minors - curfew and loitering for information about curfews.

No. Block parties are prohibited.

You must have your dog under voice command or on a leash. If your animal is at large it will be impounded by the Walworth County Human Society. There is a $30 fee that must be paid to the City Treasurer before your animal is released.

Animals which habitually bark or cry are prohibited. Please review Municipal Ordinance Chapter 9.08 Animal Controls for further information regarding your responsibilities as a pet owner. Citations can be issued for noncompliance of these ordinances.

An individual business or residence is allowed 3 false alarm calls per year. The property or business owner may be billed $100 for each alarm thereafter.

View a concise guide to moving into a residential neighborhood (PDF) and some tips on partying smart, safe and sober (PDF) to find the information you need.

The Department promptly investigates allegations of misconduct or wrongdoing by department members and to take appropriate action as to discipline, policy change, or exoneration. A complaint means that someone is dissatisfied with our performance.

If we are doing something wrong, the complaint will help the department recognize and correct deficiencies in our service to the community. It is the intent of the Police Department to provide its residents with only the highest quality law enforcement service. Access the online citizen complaint form to submit a complaint.

Being the victim of a crime is a very disturbing experience. The victim information guide (PDF) has been designed to describe some of the rights crime victims have in Wisconsin. It may help you in obtaining present and future services.

When you want to say thank you for a job well done by a police officer or other employee of the department, you can visit or call the Whitewater Police Department during regular business hours and ask to speak to a supervisor, or write a letter addressed to:
Whitewater Police Department
Attention: Employee Commendation
312 W Whitewater Street
Whitewater, WI 53190

You may also email the department. When saying thanks, please try to remember the name of the employee, and the circumstances of how you were helped. The incident will be reviewed and the police officer or employee could receive an award or letter of commendation.

Private fingerprinting is available through your local Sheriff's Department or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Police Department.

To view found property come to the Whitewater Police Department Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Be prepared to present either written documentation or give a verbal confirmation of ownership.

For information on sidewalk fundraising, please refer to Municipal Code 5.28.035 Outdoor Food Sales.

For rules regarding skateboards, please refer to Municipal Code 11.48.115 Skate Boards and Skating.

As a result of security issues and budgetary concerns, the Whitewater Police Department maintains the following policy regarding requests for official Whitewater Police Department uniform patches:

• We will not honor any patch request from outside the continental United States.
• Any request from with in the continental United States must originate from another law enforcement agency and must be submitted on agency letterhead. Our patch can be displayed for agency use only, not for individual patch collections.