We will continue to post updates to this story, as they become available. Last update 3/24/20 4 p.m.
Stay at Home Order Issuance
The Wichita Police Department (WPD) is aware of the issuance of a stay-at-home order issued today by Sedgwick County Health Officer, Dr. Garold Minns.
The basis of this order is simply to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. WPD understands the fears associated with such order regarding enforcement. However, be assured that WPD is focusing on education and not enforcement regarding the order. WPD remains committed to conducting safety services with care, compassion, and confidence, to keep Wichita and WPD staff safe.
If you see behavior you believe is a public health concern concerning the stay at home order, you can report it by calling 316-660-9000, or you can email stayathomefaq@sedgwick.gov. Utilizing these contacts will allow the concerns to be addressed and keep the 911 system open for emergency calls.
Please visit this link to read the stay at home order in its entirety: https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/media/56921/emergency-order-of-the-sedgwick-county-local-health-officer-3-24-20.pdf.
Traffic Accidents
WPD has implemented the Emergency Accident Reporting Plan (EARP) to allow patrol officers to focus on priority calls, as well as to limit possible COVID-19 exposure during the investigation of traffic collisions. EARP involves accidents with no injuries, no alcohol involved, no hit and run involved, and the vehicles can be moved. In these instances, citizens are to exchange driver’s license information, vehicle insurance information, and vehicle information, which includes vehicle year, make, model, and tag number.
Citizens can then complete a motor vehicle accident report by visiting the WPD website at wichitapolice.com or clicking on the following link Online Accident Report. Reports can also be made by downloading the WPD App from the appropriate app store.
If you have any questions regarding a traffic accident, you can call one of the WPD Patrols Stations and speak to an officer for assistance. If you are unable to complete a Motor Vehicle Accident Report online, only the following locations will have forms you can fill out.
WPD Traffic Bureau – 332 N. Riverview
Enter through the west doors between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Complete the form and place it in the dropbox located outside on the north side of the front doors. Please bring your own pen to complete the form.
WPD Patrol North Bureau – 3015 E. 21st St. N.
Enter through the north doors between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Take a form and return to your vehicle to complete it. You can return the form to Patrol North; bring your own pen.
WPD Patrol South Bureau – 211 E. Pawnee St.
Enter through the west doors between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Take a form and return to your vehicle to complete it. You can return the form to Patrol South; bring your own pen.
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The Wichita Police Department (WPD) has set up temporary community protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic to help keep the community and WPD personnel safe.
Patrol Operations
WPD is expanding our phone call in reporting system for certain non-emergency calls for service in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Beginning today, if you have a police related question, an issue that does not require an emergency response or the need for an officer to respond, please call one of our four police stations at the following numbers. We have extended staffing 24/7 at all four stations until further notice.
· Patrol North Police Station (316) 350-3400, 3015 E. 21st Street North;
· Patrol South Police Station (316) 350-3440, 211 E. Pawnee;
· Patrol West Police Station (316) 350-3420, 661 N. Elder; and
· Patrol East Police Station (316) 350-3460, 350 S. Edgemoor.
While all police stations will be staffed 24/7 for emergencies, we request if you want to speak with an officer in person and it is not an emergency, please call the station to set an appointment. Non-emergency police reports can also be made 24 hours per day by calling WPD Case Desk at 316-268-4221.
Additionally, certain non-emergency calls for service may be redirected by a supervisor for an officer to speak with the citizen via telephone.
Phone reports will be taken in the circumstances involving certain non-emergency calls to allow officers to prioritize calls requiring an emergency response.
Investigation Division
If you have a question for a detective regarding an ongoing police investigation, please call WPD Investigations section at 316-268-4407. If an appointment with a detective needs to be made, it can be made by calling the same number. The Investigation Division remains open between Monday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Records Division
If you need a copy of a report, you can receive it via email or mail. To get the report, please call WPD Records Section at 316-268-4186 or send an email request to wpdrecords@wichita.gov. Payments will be accepted over the phone by credit card, or money orders can be sent.
Property and Evidence Division
If you have a question about your property that needs to be picked up from WPD Property and Evidence office located at 410 N. Waco, please call 316-303-8220 to set an appointment for pick-up. Public hours are from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Animal Control
WPD Animal Control is currently not accepting healthy or feral cats unless they are sick, injured, or are younger than three months old. Additionally, Animal Control officers are only responding to animal bite or attack cases and aggressive or running at large stray dogs. If you have any questions for WPD Animal Control, please call 316-350-3360 instead of visiting the shelter in person. The phones are answered from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.
General Police Questions
If you have a general police question, you can email policeweb@wichita.gov, and your question will be answered by email or by phone during business hours, which is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
As the public health concerns continue related to COVID-19, be assured that WPD officers are available to provide emergency services, and please call 911 in emergencies. However, resort to communicating by phone when possible and avoid unscheduled visits to any police facility or City Hall.
“We want to slow the spread of the virus,” said Police Chief Gordon Ramsay. “The safety of the community and WPD staff remains of utmost importance to the leadership at WPD. If you’re committing a crime and victimizing our citizens, particularly during this vulnerable time of a national health epidemic, we are going to arrest you.”
WPD staff is communicating daily with local, state, and federal partners to learn the best practices to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. Community members can stay informed on the City of Wichita updates by visiting wichita.gov/pages/coronavirus.aspx.