Police Department: Divisions

Patrol Division

Squad

The patrol division of the River Falls Police Department is staffed by three patrol sergeants and 13 patrol officers. The patrol fleet currently consists of 5 marked units and several unmarked units. The Patrol Division provides 24 hour police coverage to the City of River Falls. Emergency services, including police, are dispatched through an enhanced 911 emergency communications center located at the Pierce County Sheriff's Department in Ellsworth, Wisconsin. The Patrol Division is supplemented by a Bicycle Patrol.

All of the marked units have radios, cell phones, moving radar units and mobile data computers or MDC's.

Squad

These computers are capable of connecting to the State TIME system, which allows officers to run driver's license and vehicle registration checks right from the patrol cars.

The patrol also uses a radar trailer to gain voluntary compliance with the speed limits. The trailer is often used in areas of the City where citizens have complained about speeding vehicles.

The radar trailer is a fully self contained unit that is capable of monitoring speeds for up to one week without being recharged.

Inside SquadInside SquadInside Squad

Bike Patrol Division

River Falls Police Departments "Safe Bicycling" video wins award. Click here to find out more.

Safe Bicycling Video Wins Award!!

February 27, 2002

The River Falls Police Department bike patrol members made a bicycle safety video that has been broadcast locally on River Falls Cable TV Channel 16. It is also used at School presentations to help educate children in bicycle safety. The video was submitted to the Wisconsin Association of PEG (public education in government) Access Channels and recently won an Award of Merit.

The video, entitled "Safe Bicycling" was entered in the category of Government Profile and won an Award of Merit. Over 200 entries representing over 25 Wisconsin communities were received in the Fourth Annual WAPC Video Festival. The video was among 62 programs submitted that received this honor. The award will be presented at the WAPC Video Festival Awards Ceremony on April 5, 2002 in Wisconsin Dells.

The video is approximately 10 minutes in length and can be viewed on local cable Channel RFC-TV starting at the end of March and running through September.

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Bike Patrol

The Bicycle Patrol was initiated in 1995 and at this time includes three bicycles and eight trained bicycle patrol officers. The advantages to a bicycle patrol program include closer community contact, increased visibility, a quiet approach, low cost and the amount and diversity of the territory bicycles can cover. The bicycle patrol provides patrol in the areas of the city that are not easily accessible by the patrol car.

Bicycle patrol members conduct safety classes in all city elementary classes each year. Classes cover the importance of helmet use, equipment checks and general bicycle rules.

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 Officer Eric Vannocker gives a child a coupon for an ice cream cone because she is wearing a bike helmet while riding.One of the bike patrol members demonstrates the proper way to wear a bike helmet.

Click here to view photos of bicycle safety class at Westside Elementary on June 1, 2002

Investigative / Youth services Division

The Investigative / Youth Services Division is responsible for the following departmental functions:

  • Criminal Investigations
  • Crime Prevention
  • School Liaison Activities

This unit consists of one Investigative Sergeant and three patrol officers. The patrol officers are assigned to this division on a voluntary basis, and have a multi-year assignment. One of the patrol officers in this unit is currently assigned to a new police school liaison position. The officer spends all of his time in the schools, interacting with the students. This position was just implemented in March of 2000.

Currently there are two programs that are taught in the River Falls Schools by a member of the police department. The CounterACT Anti-Drug & Alcohol Program is taught in the elementary schools.

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River Falls Police Reserve

Call (715) 425-0909  for more information.

The River Falls Police Reserve consists of 21 members. Officers with the reserve generally consist of non law enforcement civilian employees with no arrest authority. These individuals provide additional law enforcement services to the citizens of River Falls while assisting the Police Department with regular, emergency and community service functions.

Examples of Police Reserve Activitites:

  • Assist with transports to detox or mental health facilities
  • Security at UWRF athletic events
  • Security at River Falls High School athletic events
  • Traffic control for local parades
  • Assist full time officers on special details
  • Security for River Falls Days Events
  • Special security responsibilities for the Kansas City Chiefs Summer Camp
  • Parking enforcement for alternate night parking

Reserve members also ride along with regular patrol officers.

Police reserve officers must be at least 18 years of age, a Wisconsin resident and a high school graduate. You must also pass a written test, a background check and an oral interview. Applications for Part-time Police Reserve Officers are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Click here if you are interested in applying to become a River Falls Police Reserve Officer.