Community Programs

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It's our goal to provide the Community with programs that improve the quality of life of our citizens.

Hunting in the City

We will post registration for the 2024 Bow Hunt starting August 19, 2024.

What Is The Law?

Important to Know

If you are planning to hunt within the City of Wausau, it is important you are aware of the following information.

Bow hunting in the City of Wausau, to include crossbows, is permissible. Hunting with firearms, is not.
Bow hunting must be done in accordance with Wisconsin DNR regulations.
Bow hunters who are hunting on private property are no longer required to register with the Wausau Police Department.
Bow hunters who wish to hunt undeveloped city-owned property in the West industrial Park must register with the Wausau Police Department before hunting.
- City of Wausau West Industrial Park Map
- City of Wausau West Industrial Park Hunt Registration Form

Rules

Bow hunters shall not hunt within 200 feet of the building or another persons land used for human occupancy, unless the person who owns the land allows the hunter to do so.
Bow hunters shall discharge the arrow or bolt in a direction described as "immediately toward the ground."
Bow hunting is not allowed in any city/county park in the city of Wausau
The city of Wausau does not provide permit tags for deer hunting. Hunters must use their DNR issued permit tags.
Renters should have landowner permission to hunt property where they reside.

For questions concerning hunting in the city of Wausau, please contact:

Lt. Peter Fish: Email

Lt. Shawn Meyer: Email

Waterfowl Hunting

Waterfowl hunting is a popular sport for many in Central Wisconsin. However, it's important we recognize where we can safely and legally hunt.

By ordinance, there is no discharging of firearms allowed in the City of Wausau (9.08.010 Discharging and carrying firearms and guns prohibited). Though the Wausau Police Department does not proactively enforce this ordinance, we do frequently respond to complaints regarding concerns of people hunting on/near the city and/or birdshot falling on their property. These complaints tend to occur when hunters are hunting well within the city limits. Hunters may receive a citation for violation of the above ordinance, and further investigation by the Wisconsin DNR.

There are three main water features where these complaints occur: Wisconsin River, Lake Wausau and Eau Claire River.

Wisconsin River Boundary

The Wisconsin River travels north to south into the city of Wausau. As the river enters the city, near Evergreen Road, the east half is within city limits which includes a number of islands. When the river meets the area of Bugbee Avenue the entire river is within the city until it ends at Lake Wausau (the Wausau Hydrodam).
Map

Lake Wausau Boundary

Lake Wausau begins in the City of Wausau at the Wausau Hydrodam and continues south alongs Memorial Park and DC Everest Parks in the city. The city limits extend south from S. 12th Avenue along the center of the lake toward Wausau Downtown Airport. Everything north and east of that line is in the city.
Map

Eau Claire River Boundary

The Eau Claire River is on the southeast side of the city and runs south of Kent Street toward the City of Schofield. If you are hunting in this area of the river, you could be between three different municipalities so be sure to know the area.
Map

Bicycle Registration

Drug Drop Box

Unused and Unwanted Medication Drop Boxes

The Wausau Police Department, neighboring law enforcement agencies and community agencies are partnering to provide communities with a safe, environmental and healthy way to dispose of unwanted and unused medications. The Wausau PD Drop Box is in the entrance to the police department off Seymour Street during normal business hours.

Liquids and creams are accepted, please place them in a plastic zip locked baggie to avoid having a mess.

Drop Box Flyer - Includes "Locations & Times" (PDF)

Emergency Police

Emergency Police 2023Emergency Police Unit

The Emergency Police Unit of the Wausau Police Department was formed in 1951 by then Chief Of Police Everett Gleason. When there was a need for crowd control, for a parade or a convention in the City of Wausau other police agencies from the area sent staffing to Wausau to assist. While a student at the FBI Academy, Gleason learned that some Police Departments formed Auxiliary Police Units using military veterans. Chief Gleason contacted Arthur E. Dornstreich, who was involved with the V.F.W., to see if Wausau could form an auxiliary police unit. Dornstreich recruited 17 members and the Wausau Emergency Police Unit was formally started on May 10, 1951. Arthur E. Dornstreich started out as a Lieutenant in the Unit and became the Director in 1974.

The Unit has continued over the years, always with volunteers from various communities, who are willing to give of their time in such an effort. All of the parades, various 5k & 10k races, the Balloon Rally & Glow, the Wisconsin Valley Fair, The Festival of the Arts, Art in the Park, and other events are worked as needed. The Unit is also ready for any Emergency; such as storms or floods, where the police may need additional staffing for scene security and crowd control. Wausau Emergency Police have training throughout the year and work hard to be ready. The current director is Larry W. Jaeger and his executive officer is Major Frank Schuelke. The police liaison is Lieutenant Jillian Kurtzhals. There are two squads and about 35 Officers. As in any volunteer organization, we are always looking for new recruits. A candidate must be at least 18 years of age, pass a background check and an interview to become a member. Our members range in age from 18 to 70 plus, both male and female. The unit provides the uniform, except pants and shoes. Meetings are generally held on a monthly basis.

To learn more about the Wausau Emergency Police Unit, call Lieutenant Jillian Kurtzhals at 715-261-7988. Applications can be picked up at the Wausau Police Department during regular business hours or printed from this site.

Neighborhood Meetings

Police Cadets

The Wausau Police Public Safety Cadets Unit #1274, a member of the Public Safety Cadets organization, is a program created to mentor young adults between the ages of 14 – 20 to serve their community by providing knowledge, skills and practical experiences through education and training delivered by Wausau Police Officers that builds character and respect for the rule of law and human and civil rights. Training topics include but are not limited to; professional communication, interview and interrogation, firearms safety, defense and arrests tactics, OWI investigation, crime scene investigation, disturbance response, first aid, traffic enforcement, and the list goes on.

Although the Wausau Police Public Safety Cadets program helps to prepare young adults for a career in law enforcement, the program’s ultimate goal is to build a recruitment pipeline and pathway for employment as a Wausau Police Community Service Officer (CSO) and, eventually, a Wausau Police Officer.

Police Cadet => Community Service Officer => Police Officer

Who can join?
Anyone between the ages of 14-20 years old is eligible to apply to become a Police Cadet. Acceptance as a Police Cadet will depend on the candidate’s background check, character references, academic grade, and interview.

When are the meetings?
Cadets meet on the 2nd and 3rd Thursday of every month from 7pm-9pm, but are subject to change on occasion.

What is the cost?
There is an annual fee of $20.00 for membership. This helps cover administrative fees for each cadet.

How do I join?
If you are interested in learning more about the Wausau Public Safety Cadets and /or joining, contact Lt. Shawn Meyer by email or phone 715-261-7934.

Links

Safe Exchange Zone

NOTICE: Beginning the week of August 26, 2024 the safe exchange spaces will be blocked due to construction work. Please use our normal public parking lot (near main entrance) for safe exchanges. This area is also covered by our police department security cameras.

Whether you're doing a child exchange or selling something on the online marketplace, you want to have somewhere you can meet someone and feel safe. We have two parking spaces signed in our police department lot which are recorded 24/7 by security cameras. Just look for these signs in out lot!

Unoccupied Home Security Checks