Appleton Police Department

We recently had the pleasure of recognizing Dennis “The Donut Man” Davey in appreciation of six years of generosity and support of the Appleton Police Department.

Twice a week, for the past six years, Dennis has brought baked goods to the department, brightening the days of our officers and staff and becoming a much-loved part of our routine. While circumstances have brought his regular deliveries to an end, we're grateful for the years of kindness and generosity he's shared with us.

Thank you, Dennis, for six years of making our days a little sweeter. You'll always have a place at APD!

SEPTEMBER 2026 TRAFFIC DASHBOARD

Traffic Enforcement & Stops:

Total Traffic Stops: 1,287
Warnings Issued: 1,047
Citations Issued: 620
OWI Arrests: 48
School Zone Citations: 29

Accident Data:

Total Accidents: 141 (109 reportable, 32 non-reportable)
Peak Crash Day: Thursday
Peak Crash Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Happy World Teachers’ Day! 🍎

Our School Resource Officers work alongside teachers and school staff every day, building relationships, solving problems, and working together to make our schools places where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.

The partnership between our SROs and school staff is critical in making sure everyone is working together when students and families need support. We’re fortunate to work with educators who go above and beyond for their students, and whose dedication, compassion, and commitment make a lasting difference.

To all the teachers and school staff we have the privilege of working with, thank you for everything you do and for being such incredible partners. We see you. We see the unsung work you do every day, and we appreciate you more than you know!

Join us in celebrating our October anniversaries! 🎉

Thank you to everyone celebrating a milestone this month for your years of dedication, hard work, and commitment to the Appleton Police Department. We appreciate all you do!

Today, we recognize and thank our dispatchers, the first first responders and the voices on the other end of the line when people need help most.

From answering emergency calls to coordinating officers in the field, their work requires composure, quick thinking, and attention to detail, often under tremendous pressure.

To our friends over at the Outagamie County Communications Center - 911, thank you for the critical role you play in keeping our community safe and for being an indispensable part of our team.

Our hearts are heavy for the Wisconsin State Patrol and for everyone who knew and loved Trooper Bradley Ritger. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues as they face this heartbreaking loss.

It is with profound sadness that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Wisconsin State Patrol announce the line-of-duty death of Trooper Bradley Ritger at the age of 29.

On September 21, 2026, Trooper Ritger was responding to a traffic pursuit when he deployed a tire deflation device on a bridge deck west of the Dunn County/Eau Claire County line. As he moved to a position of cover, he fell from the bridge onto the roadway below. Despite lifesaving efforts and critical medical care, Trooper Ritger succumbed to his injuries on October 2, 2026.

Trooper Ritger joined the Wisconsin State Patrol as a member of the 67th Recruit Class. He served in the Northwest Region for nearly five years, primarily in the Dunn County area. During his career, he attained certifications as a general law enforcement instructor, mobile field force team member and squad leader, and salvage vehicle inspector. Prior to his service with the Wisconsin State Patrol, Trooper Ritger served with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections for three years.

Trooper Ritger was a dedicated public servant whose strong work ethic and positive presence left a lasting impact on anyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He approached every situation with professionalism, integrity and a genuine commitment to serving others. Whether assisting the public, supporting his fellow troopers, or taking on difficult challenges, he consistently demonstrated compassion and willingness to help wherever needed. His dedication to his family and unwavering commitment to his profession will not be forgotten.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Trooper Ritger’s family, friends, loved ones and all who served alongside him. As the community mourns, the Wisconsin State Patrol has placed a law enforcement memorial vehicle at its Northwest Region Post in Eau Claire where the public is welcome to drop off cards, flowers, or other condolences.

Out of respect for the family, no additional information will be shared at this time. Funeral arrangements are being made by the family. We kindly ask media and the public to respect their privacy and space for grieving.

Just one. That's how many event-related citations we had to issue during last weekend's License to Cruise and Octoberfest. The sole citation was for public urination. No custodial arrests were made during either event.

A safe and secure event weekend of that scale takes a lot of planning, coordination, and cooperation. We appreciate everyone who played a part, especially those who came out, celebrated responsibly, and helped make both events a success. Thank you, Appleton!

🚨 WE'RE HIRING 🚨

Big city opportunities. Small town feel.

At APD, you get the resources, opportunities, and variety of a larger agency without losing the feel of a close-knit community.

Supportive leadership. Room to grow. A real investment in officer wellness and work-life balance.

Specialty assignments. Career advancement. Competitive pay. Strong benefits. Take home squads. Generous time off. And the training and equipment to do the job right.

You’ll have opportunities to build your career without putting your life on hold.

Be More. Excel Here.

✔️ 38.5 hours worked per week on average
✔️ 182 days off per year
✔️ Starting base pay up to $89,398 ($42.98 per hour with degree - for qualifying lateral transfers)
✔️ Guaranteed scheduled pay increases plus structured Position Enhancement Program (PEP) advancement
✔️ Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), one of the top performing public pension systems in the nation
✔️ Non-seniority based specialized position opportunities
✔️ Merit-based promotions
✔️ Up to five weeks of vacation plus PTO
✔️ Automatic 128 hours of holiday pay
✔️ Take-home squad car program
✔️ Physical fitness program bonus pay
✔️ In-house range, DAAT room, and gym
✔️ Heavy investment in training
✔️ State-of-the-art technology
✔️ Over 55 specialty roles/positions
✔️ Uniform allowance plus department-issued equipment
✔️ Continued education reimbursement
✔️ Free Connecting Care Clinic/ Urgent Care access for employees, spouses, and dependents
✔️ Comprehensive benefits package

🔗 Links in the comments 👇

*Disclaimer* There are NO pots of gold in the back of our squad cars. Just uncomfortable plastic seats. Please do not commit crimes based on this photo.

Meet K9 Vader. 🐾

Officer Rieth has a new partner, and the two are currently down in New Mexico beginning their training together. Vader will eventually join our K9 team here in Appleton, where he’ll put that training to work alongside Officer Rieth serving our community.

We want to thank everyone who has generously supported the APD K9 Fund. Your generosity has helped make it possible to bring Vader to Appleton while also ensuring our K9s receive the highest quality care, training and equipment throughout their careers.

We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support our community shows these four-legged members of our department and the work they do.

And if you want to follow along with Vader, Officer Rieth and the rest of the K9 crew, check out Friends of the Pack-Appleton Police Department K-9 Unit.