Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.
Police Department
17-
Police Department
The River Falls Police Department operates under Wisconsin's Open Records Law. Copies are $0.25 per page for 8 1/2 x 11. Other media fees are pursuant to the City's Fee Schedule. Requests are processed in the order in which they are received by police department staff during posted business hours. Complex reports may take longer.
Obtain an open records request form and submit to the Police Department. If Audio/Visual Media Records are requested, additional fees may be incurred, pursuant to §19.35(3)(h), as outlined on the Media Request Checklist. Click here to email staff with any questions you may have.
Notice to Public - Access to Records (Pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 19.34(1))
-
Police Department
Yes, fingerprinting is done for citizens of the City of River Falls between Monday through Friday during our posted business hours. There is a $35.00 fee for this service. You must bring your fingerprint card with you, have it filled out in black ink, and have a valid picture ID. Please call the Police Department at (715)425-0909 to schedule an appointment. We cannot fingerprint for Wisconsin teaching licenses. Please go to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for fingerprinting information.
-
Police Department
Yes, there are several guidelines you should know about. Click here for House Party Success.
Interested in hosting a block party? Check out our Special Event Application.
-
All requests for Police services are assigned to priority based on the seriousness of the incident and the potential for injury or damage to property. At times, calls of less urgent nature must be delayed so that we can respond immediately to emergencies.Police Department
-
Dispatchers are trained to try to get as much information as possible to best determine the nature of the problem and its seriousness. On emergency calls, the Dispatcher may have already given the information to Officer while continuing to ask additional questions.Police Department
-
Police Department
No, the Police Department does not unlock car doors. There are several local businesses that provide this service for a nominal fee. They are: •Bowen's 715-425-2626 (during business hours) •Jensen Automotive 715-425-9702 (8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.) •Jerry's Inc. 715-425-2706 (24 hours a day) •Swede's Service 715-425-5377 (day); 715-425-6445 (day or evening) ** In case of emergency, i.e. child locked inside, officers may assist.
-
The Police Department has an abandoned / junked vehicle ordinance prohibiting such vehicles from being left for an extended period of time on public or private property. If you think that a vehicle may have been abandoned or junked, please call the Police Department. Generally, a vehicle parked on private property without consent of the property owner may be ticketed by the Police, but removal is the property owner's responsibility. A vehicle parked on private property, (in violation of the ordinance), with the property owner's consent may be ticketed and ultimately removed by order of the Municipal Court.Police Department
-
Police Department
The River Falls Police Department does not have a jail. Please contact the Pierce County Jail directly at 715-273-1124 or the St. Croix County Jail at 715-386-4752 to inquire about someone.
Another resource is Wisconsin VINE (WI-VINE). WI-VINE is an online resource where crime victims and the public can access information about offenders who are in the custody of the County Sheriff and also receive automated notification if the status of the offender changes. This service is provided by your County Sheriff and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections in order to keep crime victims and the public informed regarding individuals placed into the county jail.
Victims and other citizens can register for VINE (Victim Information & Notification Everyday) by calling the toll-free number 1-888-944-8463 or visiting the website. You will be able to register to receive automated telephone notification and/or email notification when there is a change in the offender's custody status. The Wisconsin VINE service is anonymous and confidential.
-
Police Department
Traffic/City Ordinance Violation Citations are processed through the River Falls Municipal Court, located at 222 Lewis Street. If you have any questions about paying for a Traffic/City Ordinance Violation citation or you would like to set a hearing date, please contact the Municipal Court directly at 715-426-3429.
Parking tickets can be paid by mail or in person at City Hall, 222 Lewis Street, or at the Police Department, 2815 Prairie Drive. Parking Tickets may also be paid online. http://www.remit-online.com/715222 or using the button on our webpage.
-
Police Department
The Police Department will respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week to requests for police assistance. Normal business hours are 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday, excluding certain holidays. The Police Department entrance is open 24 hours a day with a direct phone line to the dispatcher.
-
Police Department
If you are requesting road closures, barricades or assistance from the Police Department or Department of Public Works, please complete the City of River Falls Special Event application and submit. Please submit your request with enough time for City staff to review and coordinate. The document can be found here.
-
Police Department
Non-emergency reports can be made online using the reporting feature on this website, or by phone. Contact the Police Department at 715-425-0909. An Officer may be dispatched to your home or business to meet with you to follow-up with your report. If you find it more convenient you may come to the Police Department at 2815 Prairie Drive to meet with an Officer.
-
A restraining order is a court order that orders someone not to hurt you, to stay away from you, move out of the house, have no contact with you or stop harassing you. Information about restraining orders can be found on the Wisconsin Department of Justice website.Police Department
-
Police Department
Call the Police Department at 715-425-0909 or notify us. We have two speed trailers that can be used to collect data in your area that we can then evaluate the speeds and consider assigning directed patrol for speed enforcement.
-
Police Department
The River Falls Police Department generally does not get involved in investigating or giving advice relating to this topic as they are usually civil issues and not criminal. One of the best resources for information on this topic is a booklet entitled "Landlord's and Tenants, The Wisconsin Way," published by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The booklet can be accessed by accessing this link: A Guide for Landlords and Tenants.
-
Yes! The importance of citizens calling to report crimes or suspicious activity cannot be overemphasized. Crime prevention and the solution to crimes or violations already committed depend greatly on information provided by citizens. The dispatcher who takes your call will ask questions about the activity to determine its nature and ask for a description of the people involved. Information such as a vehicle's license plate number, color, make or a persons clothing, hair, build, etc... are important. You may be asked if an officer may contact you in person for further information / clarification. You can also leave us a tip on the Crime Stoppers web site.Police Department
-
Police Department
If you're interested in riding along with one of our officers, please fill out the ride-along application form. Your request will be reviewed by a supervisor, and once approved, an officer will be assigned to accompany you. Please drop off your completed application at the police department during business hours, and we'll notify you of the assigned date and time for your ride-along.
Please Note: As of December 2025, the River Falls Police Department has paused accepting applications for citizen Ride-Alongs.