Police Reports in Wisconsin

Find and request official police reports from any city in Wisconsin. Our comprehensive database covers all 791 cities and counties throughout the state.

791

Cities Covered

3-5

Business Days Average

100%

Secure & Confidential

Primary Agency

Wisconsin State Patrol

Processing Time

5-10 business days

Fee Range

$10-$20 for standard reports

Report Forms

Form MV4000, State Patrol Reports, Local Reports

Online Availability

Online requests available

Secure Process

Protected & confidential

About Wisconsin Police Reports

Important Information

MV4000 forms with overlay sheets provide comprehensive data

Processing Details

Milwaukee and Madison have local units

Additional Notes

MV4000 overlay sheet available

Available Report Types

Form MV4000
State Patrol Reports
Local Reports

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Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Accident Report (MV 4000)

Wisconsin's highways wind through farmland, forests and urban centers like Milwaukee and Madison. When crashes happen on these diverse roadways, investigators rely on detailed police reports to capture the circumstances. The official accident report used by law enforcement is the Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Accident Report (MV 4000). Consistent crash reports are essential because they provide a factual record that insurers, lawyers, engineers and researchers can trust. Without a standardized form, comparing crash data across counties would be nearly impossible. The MV 4000 form has been refined over the years; the edition referenced in this article is identified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as WI PAR MV4000 899 Rev. 9/2007 Sub. 12/2009, indicating the primary revision in September 2007 with a subsequent update in December 2009.

Form overview

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and Wisconsin State Patrol issue the MV 4000 report and require law enforcement agencies to complete it when a crash involves injury, death or property damage that meets statutory reporting thresholds. The form is four pages long, with each page dedicated to different aspects of the crash. It incorporates numbered codes to represent crash characteristics, vehicle and driver information, environmental conditions and contributing factors. An accompanying code sheet explains each numeric code, and officers receive training to ensure accurate completion. The structured design makes it possible to load thousands of reports into the state's crash database and analyze them for safety trends.

Section breakdown

Page 1 – Crash overview, drivers and passengers

The top of the first page contains information about the exact location, date and time of the crash. Officers note the street or highway name, the nearest intersection or mile marker and whether the crash occurred at an intersection. Boxes indicate if the crash was a hit and run, involved a highway or occurred at a specific location like a ramp. The investigating officer records the number of vehicles, the number of injuries and fatalities and whether an ambulance responded. If damage estimates are provided, drivers should verify them because insurers may rely on these numbers. The middle of page 1 contains detailed driver information. For each of the first two drivers, the report lists their name, address, driver's license number, date of birth and contact information. Officers note whether the driver was wearing a seat belt or helmet, the severity of any injuries and whether extrication was needed. They also record the driver's insurance company and policy number. In the vehicle section, the report captures the vehicle's year, make, model, color, license plate number, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and state of registration. There are boxes to indicate whether the vehicle was towed from the scene and whether the driver was cited for any offenses. The bottom of page 1 lists passengers and their seating positions. For each passenger, the officer notes whether they were injured or killed, whether they were wearing a seat belt, and whether an airbag deployed. If a passenger was ejected or required extrication, that is recorded. If more than two vehicles or numerous passengers are involved, officers attach additional sheets. At the very bottom of the page, the report provides the investigating officer's name and contact information, ensuring transparency and allowing anyone with questions to follow up.

Page 2 – Additional people and crash type

The second page continues documenting the people involved in the crash. The top section lists any additional passengers, pedestrians or cyclists, including their contact information, seating position or location and injury severity. Officers note whether each person was transported to a hospital. This ensures that all individuals involved are accounted for. The middle and bottom sections describe the type of accident and the condition of the drivers. The report identifies the first harmful event, which could be a collision with another vehicle, a collision with a fixed object or a non‑collision event such as a vehicle overturn. A box labeled "manner of collision" distinguishes between rear‑end, head‑on, sideswipe, angle and other collision types. The report also indicates whether either driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs and records blood‑alcohol test results if available. Officers use codes to describe the drivers' actions and conditions, such as speeding, following too closely, improper passing, distracted driving or fatigue. These factors are crucial for assigning fault and for researchers studying driver behavior.

Page 3 – Diagram, narrative and environmental codes

The third page features the investigating officer's diagram of the crash. Officially called the pictorial representation of narrative, the drawing shows the roadway layout, lanes, direction of travel and the position of each vehicle at the moment of impact. By examining this diagram, drivers and insurers can verify whether the official description matches their memory of the crash. The middle of page 3 contains the officer's written narrative, which explains what happened in plain language. The narrative is based on statements from drivers, passengers and witnesses, as well as physical evidence at the scene. Because free‑form narratives can capture nuances that codes cannot, they play a critical role in understanding the crash. The bottom of page 3 includes numerous codes for environmental conditions and driver actions. These codes cover road terrain (straight, curve, hill), weather (clear, rain, snow), light conditions (daylight, dusk/dawn, darkness), road surface condition (dry, wet, icy) and what the drivers were doing at the time of the crash (stopped, turning, changing lanes). The coding sheet accompanying the MV 4000 explains each number. By standardizing environmental factors, WisDOT can analyze trends—such as increases in crashes on wet curves or intersections with poor lighting—and target countermeasures.

Page 4 – Contributing factors and commercial vehicles

The top of page 4 contains the investigating officer's opinion of possible contributing factors. These factors fall into three categories: driver factors (exceeding the speed limit, inattentive driving, following too closely), vehicle factors (mechanical problems with brakes, tires or steering) and highway factors (snow or ice on the road, loose gravel, potholes or other hazards). Officers select codes from the sheet to indicate which factors contributed to the crash. Insurance adjusters closely review these codes when determining fault and liability. The officer's name and contact information are repeated on this page for convenience. The bottom of page 4 documents any commercial vehicles involved. This section asks whether a bus, tractor‑trailer, log truck or other commercial vehicle was part of the crash. If so, the report lists the carrier's name, address and contact information, along with details about hazardous materials. When hazardous materials are involved, specialized response teams may be needed and federal reporting requirements apply. Because commercial vehicle crashes often result in severe injuries and significant property damage, documenting this information ensures regulatory compliance and supports insurance investigations.

Code sheet and supplemental forms

The MV 4000 relies on a code sheet to translate observations into standardized data. Codes represent road conditions, vehicle movements, driver actions, contributing factors and environmental conditions. Officers use the code sheet while completing the report to ensure accuracy and consistency. If the crash involves more than two vehicles or numerous passengers, additional pages (sometimes called MV 4000A) can be attached. These supplements mirror the structure of the main form, ensuring that all individuals and vehicles are properly documented.

Use cases

Law enforcement and crash reconstruction

Police officers use the MV 4000 to reconstruct crashes and determine whether any laws were violated. The first harmful event, manner of collision and contributing factor codes help investigators identify the primary cause. Driver action codes reveal whether speeding, distraction or impairment played a role. The diagram and narrative support a chronological understanding of events. When necessary, officers may consult witness statements or contact information from the report to gather additional evidence. Consistent reporting across agencies allows the Wisconsin State Patrol to compare crashes statewide and to allocate enforcement resources effectively.

Insurance claims and legal proceedings

Insurers depend on accident reports to assess liability and process claims. The MV 4000 provides objective details about the drivers, vehicles, injuries and contributing factors. Adjusters review the narrative and diagram to verify that the claimed damage aligns with the events described. If commercial vehicles are involved, the carrier information on page 4 ensures that proper insurance coverage is identified. Attorneys representing injured parties use the report's codes and narrative to argue negligence, while defense attorneys may scrutinize the report for inconsistencies or missing information that could reduce liability. The structured design of the MV 4000 makes it easier for all parties to understand and interpret the data.

Transportation planning and engineering

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation analyzes crash reports to identify safety problems and plan improvements. By aggregating data on crash types, environmental conditions and contributing factors, engineers can pinpoint hazardous intersections or road segments. For example, if the code for rear‑end collisions appears frequently on a particular stretch of highway, signal timing or signage may need adjustment. Weather and road surface codes help officials anticipate crash risks during winter storms and deploy de‑icing or plowing resources accordingly. The data also support grant applications and performance evaluations for federal safety programs.

Public health and research

Researchers and public health officials study crash reports to understand injury patterns and evaluate safety campaigns. Passenger data on page 1 and page 2 provide insight into seat belt use, airbag deployment and ejection rates. If data show a high incidence of unbelted passengers, targeted enforcement and education campaigns can be developed. The influence of alcohol and drugs on driver actions is documented on page 2, helping health agencies tailor substance abuse prevention efforts. Because the MV 4000 has been in use for many years, researchers can conduct longitudinal studies to assess the impact of safety interventions and legislative changes.

Conclusion

The Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Accident Report (MV 4000) is more than just paperwork; it is a vital tool for ensuring accountability and improving road safety. By standardizing the collection of data about crashes, the form enables law enforcement, insurers, engineers, attorneys and researchers to work from the same factual record. The structured fields capture everything from basic location and time information to detailed codes describing driver actions, environmental conditions and contributing factors. The diagram and narrative provide context that supports legal and insurance decisions, while the code sheet allows for consistent data entry and analysis. In a state with varied terrain and weather, this uniform reporting system helps protect drivers and passengers and guides investment in safer roads.

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Milwaukee

County: Milwaukee

Population: 1.290.221

ZIP Codes: 53203, 53202, 53207...