The Waukesha Police Department (WKPD) has existed since 1896. In 1937, the WKPD built a station on Delafield Street because it needed more space. A newspaper described it as both modern and suburban. With a low-profile design it blended into its suburban surroundings but maintained its identity as a civic building by using elements from the colonial revival architectural style, often associated with governmental buildings, specifically its white portico entryway held up by four pillars. The building is covered with Lannon stone, a dolomitic limestone from a local Waukesha County quarry, which frequently appeared in local homes and reinforced the building's suburban essence.

This police station represents the professionalization of the WKPD. One step towards professionalization was creating the Detective Bureau in 1958. This separation between officers and detectives is an example of the WKPD becoming specialized. Additionally, in 1958, the WKPD became more inclusive when it hired its first female officer, Doris Francis, a step that became possible when male officers no longer considered women a distraction on the police force.

In 1964, the WKPD decided to expand the building because of the development of new programs. Five new rooms were added to the building: an assembly room, a lieutenant office, a detective office, an identification bureau, and a youth aid office. This new extension allowed the department to improve their quality of work. Additionally, it demonstrated a commitment to the community with their Youth Aid Program.

In 1972, the WKPD realized it needed more space to fulfill the needs of the community. In 1973, the city approved the cost to expand the police station. With this additional space the WKPD added a division that was responsible for investigating narcotics and dangerous drugs. Additionally, it created a modern communications center to help better equip dispatchers with the tools they needed to help the public. 

This police station represents the professionalization of the WKPD. As the department became specialized, it required space for these divisions to flourish. Moving to this building in 1937 allowed the WKPD to provide the highest quality of service to the people of Waukesha through specialized divisions such as the Detective Bureau, Identification Bureau, the Youth Aid Program, the Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Unit, and the modern Communication Center. 

1896	Waukesha Police Department was established
1937	Building was created
1937	Two-way radios
1939	New system to track stolen property
1958	Detective Bureau was made into a separate division
1958	The first woman hired to be a police officer
1960	Start handing out copies of tickets to people
1960	Starts the ambulance service for Waukesha
1960	Officers are given new summer uniforms
1962	Radar is used to track speeding
1964	Extension of building
1968	The dispatch position is created and separate from the on-duty sergeant
1973	The second extension of the building is made
1975	Police department no longer in charge of ambulance
1976	The police patch that is worn today is created and implemented
1981	Dispatch is in charge of dispatching both police and fire
1992	The police department stopped using the building
2021	Return to building because the new building is under construction
2022	Leave building for good