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Open Records Request

How to Obtain DEC Records

The Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) is a stand-alone Department of the City of Milwaukee.  Police and Fire Communications were moved from those Departments into the DEC in February of 2025. 

  • It is important to remember this when requesting records from the DEC.  We are not the custodian, nor does the DEC have access to the same records as the Milwaukee Police Department or Milwaukee Fire Department.  The items below are listed to help record requestors know which department they should be contacting (DEC, MPD, MFD):

  • What you can currently obtain from dec:

  • Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) Reports
  • 911 and Non-Emergency Audio
  • DEC Policy

  • What you currently cannot obtain from dec:

  • Police Investigative Reports (MPD)
  • Supplemental Reports (MPD)
  • Criminal Records (MPD)
  • Crash Reports (MPD or WI DOT)
  • Fire Reports (MFD)
  • Pole Camera Video (MPD)
  • Police Worn Body Camera Video (MPD)
  • Squad Car Dash Camera Video (MPD)
  • MPD Policy (MPD)
  • MFD Policy (MFD)
  • Police/Fire Internal Investigations (MPD/MFD)
  • Police/Fire Complaints and Resolutions (MPD/MFD)
  • Police/Fire Statistical Information

View the DEC Public Records Notice and learn how to obtain DEC responsive records.