PatrolThe Wisconsin Rapids Police Department provides 24 hour service to a population of approximately 18,500 residents. At the beginning of 2010 the patrol division switched to 12 hour shifts which adjusted staffing. Patrol currently consists of 4 Lieutenants, 4 Sergeants and 21 Officers.
Patrol officers operate primarily with a fleet of marked squads, although unmarked units are available for special functions. The primary marked squads each have a mobile data computer (MDC) which allows officers to receive driver's license and license plate information directly in the squad. The MDC's were also recently set up with computerized citations, warnings, and accident reports. Officers can now do the paperwork on the computer instead of writing the forms out by hand. The squad has a small printer with paper and officers are able to print off the paperwork right in the field if needed. This saves time and also reduces errors.
The primary fleet of squads are currently Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors.
Patrol officers operate primarily with a fleet of marked squads, although unmarked units are available for special functions. The primary marked squads each have a mobile data computer (MDC) which allows officers to receive driver's license and license plate information directly in the squad. The MDC's were also recently set up with computerized citations, warnings, and accident reports. Officers can now do the paperwork on the computer instead of writing the forms out by hand. The squad has a small printer with paper and officers are able to print off the paperwork right in the field if needed. This saves time and also reduces errors.
The primary fleet of squads are currently Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors.
K9 ProgramOfficer Dean Fleisner and his K9 partner Diego, a German Shepard, started patrol together in December of 2008. Diego is trained in multiple categories including tracking, suspect apprehension, and drug detection.
The Wisconsin Rapids Citizen's Police Academy Alumni Association has raised enough money to implement the program, but further funding is needed for food, care, and other specialized K9 equipment. If you would like to support or make a donation, please email Paula or contact her at 715-459-2502.
Thank you to those that have donated and supported the creation of the new program. A special thank you to the WRCPAAA!
Special Response TeamThe Wisconsin Rapids Police Department originally formed a "SWAT" or Special Response Team with 7 members in 1975 because of the violence and civil unrest around the nation. Over the last 30 plus years the Special Response Team (SRT) has continually evolved and currently is a team of 9 members.
The current team is headed up by the Deputy Chief of Police. The team itself consists of a team leader, assistant team leader, and 7 other members. All members are cross trained in all aspects of the unit and 3 are trained as marksmen. The team works in conjunction with department negotiators.
The SRT is responsible for various high risk incidents, including Hostage situations, armed/barricaded individuals, dignitary security, service of search warrants, along with other situations where specialized training and equipment may be required.
The team trains with frequently and works closely with the Wood County Sheriff's Department Special Response Team. They have also trained with Marshfield Police Department and Stevens Point Police Department teams. The Wisconsin Rapids Special Response Team, along with those from surrounding agencies, are able to provide quality trained and well equipped teams to assist in high risk situations to keep our communities safe.
The current team is headed up by the Deputy Chief of Police. The team itself consists of a team leader, assistant team leader, and 7 other members. All members are cross trained in all aspects of the unit and 3 are trained as marksmen. The team works in conjunction with department negotiators.
The SRT is responsible for various high risk incidents, including Hostage situations, armed/barricaded individuals, dignitary security, service of search warrants, along with other situations where specialized training and equipment may be required.
The team trains with frequently and works closely with the Wood County Sheriff's Department Special Response Team. They have also trained with Marshfield Police Department and Stevens Point Police Department teams. The Wisconsin Rapids Special Response Team, along with those from surrounding agencies, are able to provide quality trained and well equipped teams to assist in high risk situations to keep our communities safe.
Bicycle PatrolThe Wisconsin Rapids Police Department has a bicycle patrol unit which supplements regular patrol. The unit was formed in the mid 1990's and currently has 6 officers assigned to it. In addition to regular patrols, the unit is used during parades, fireworks, and community events.
Auxiliary PoliceThe Auxiliary Police is a volunteer unit that assists and supplements patrol services. Auxiliary Officers primary duties involve added patrols during special events, but also may provide crowd control, scene security or other functions as requested. Auxiliary officers are trained in pepper spray, defense and arrest tactics, and other crowd control issues.
Ordinance Control The Ordinance Control program is supervised by the Police Department and will investigate complaints such as abandoned or disabled vehicles, garbage in yards, and other similar problems. You may report ordinance violations online and an ordinance officer will look into the complaint. Ordinance officers normally attempt to work with citizens to take care of the problem if possible prior to issuing citations, and it may take time for results to show.
Dispatch
Dispatch services for the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department are provided by the Wood County Dispatch Center. This includes both emergency and non emergency calls.
