Police Department - Citizen Complaints

The Dodgeville Police Department strives to maintain the integrity of its officers and trust of the community at all times. We are committed to make every effort to deliver fair and impartial service to all whom we serve. However, it is understood that on occasion one might feel they were treated improperly and wish to register a complaint against a police department employee.

By state law citizens have the right to file complaints against police officers and the police department must have a policy on how complaints are handled.

The City of Dodgeville provides three methods of registering complaints against department personnel. The information below provides the details of those methods.

Complaints to Supervisor

In cases of minor complaints or questions about a traffic stop, you can call the police department and request to speak with the on duty supervisor. In minor complaints the supervisor will try to answer your questions and concerns, if necessary the supervisor will record the information, speak with the officer and get back in contact with you to answer your questions, and bring your concerns to the attention of the officer.

Complaints to the Chief of Police

The chief will investigate any complaints registered against a police department employee. The complainant will be kept apprised of the status of the investigation and the final outcome.

Complaints to the Police and Fire Commission

The Dodgeville Police and Fire Commission is an appointed body that oversees the police and fire departments as it relates to sworn personnel issues. Their duties include allegations of misconduct or any wrongdoing. Citizens are free to register complaints against sworn police department personnel by filing the same with the commission and these complaints will be investigated by the commission as prescribed by state statute. Their inquiry may result in public hearings with the complainant(s) being required to provide testimony and evidence against the police officer in an open meeting format prescribed by the Wisconsin Open Meetings Act.