Madison Police Use of Force Records - Request Guide

Public Safety Wisconsin 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 09, 2026 Flag of Wisconsin

In Madison, Wisconsin, members of the public can seek police use-of-force records under state and local public records rules. This guide explains who holds those records, how to request them, typical timelines, and what to expect when records are redacted or withheld.

How police use-of-force records are classified

Use-of-force incident reports, officer narratives, investigative files, and related body-worn camera footage may be public records, subject to specific exemptions under Wisconsin law and municipal policies.

Penalties & Enforcement

Penalties for failing to comply with public-records obligations or for wrongful withholding of police records are defined by state law and municipal procedures; specific monetary fines for failure to produce police use-of-force records are not specified on the cited page.[1]

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: first/repeat/continuing offence ranges not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: court orders to release records, injunctive relief, and possible attorney-fee awards under public-records enforcement procedures.
  • Enforcer: requests and complaints are handled through the City of Madison records custodian and Madison Police Department records unit; see Help and Support / Resources below for contacts.
  • Appeals/review: judicial review or mandamus actions in circuit court; time limits for filing an enforcement action are not specified on the cited page.
  • Defences/discretion: exemptions for investigatory records, privacy, and safety may apply; redactions are commonly used to protect ongoing investigations or personal data.
If records are withheld, request a written denial that cites the legal basis.

Applications & Forms

The City of Madison publishes procedures for public records requests; a specific use-of-force request form is not required or not officially published on the cited page.

How to request use-of-force records

  1. Identify the records you want: incident date, location, names (if known), report or case number if available.
  2. Contact the Madison Police Department Records Unit to submit a request by phone, email, or the department's records portal.[2]
  3. Ask for estimated timelines and whether body-worn camera footage is available; request preferred delivery format (electronic preferred).
  4. Confirm fees for copies or duplication; if fees are charged, request an itemized estimate.
  5. If you receive a denial or redaction, ask for the exemption cited and the name of the official making the decision.
  6. If needed, file an appeal or seek judicial review; preserve all correspondence and the original request.
Be specific about dates and identifiers to reduce processing delays.

Action steps

  • Prepare a written request with incident details and desired records.
  • Submit the request to MPD Records or the City records custodian via the official channel in Help and Support / Resources.
  • Ask for fee estimates and request electronic delivery if available.

FAQ

How long will a request take?
Response times vary by workload and record complexity; a specific statutory deadline for municipal response to police use-of-force records is not specified on the cited page.
Will footage be released?
Body-worn camera and dash cam footage may be released if not exempt; redactions for privacy or investigative integrity are common.
Are there fees?
Copying and duplication fees may apply; specific fee amounts for use-of-force records are not specified on the cited page.

How-To

  1. Draft a concise written public records request specifying date, location, and types of records.
  2. Submit the request to the Madison Police Department Records Unit via email, phone, or portal.[2]
  3. Track the request and ask for status updates if processing is delayed.
  4. Review released records for redactions; request justification for any withheld material.
  5. If unsatisfied, escalate to the City records custodian or pursue judicial remedies under state law.[1]

Key Takeaways

  • Be specific and put requests in writing to speed processing.
  • Contact MPD Records for submission details and estimated fees.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 19 - Public Records and Property
  2. [2] City of Madison - Police Records Unit / Records Requests

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