The 5 biggest problems with Waze’s police watch feature

Created in 2009, the driving application Waze made a splash not only thanks to its acquisition by Google in 2013, but also for its ability to alert users of certain road conditions thanks to reports provided by its community. Waze can provide users with information about hazards such as bad weather or vehicle accidents in real time, but it also offers the ability to report police presence on the road. Those with a heavy foot may find this useful for avoiding speeding tickets, but the reality is that Waze’s police watch feature has its own problems.

Besides users needing to make sure police notifications are set up correctly in the app, community information on Waze can be questionable or poorly programmed. This is due to the way the app verifies certain reports, as well as the fact that (theoretically) anyone registered can submit information. Bugs and glitches can also be a source of frustration for users, but careless drivers using the police detection feature can also pose potential safety risks to other drivers.

Don’t get me wrong, there may be a variety of reasons why Waze may be better (or worse) than Google Maps, and for what it’s worth, both Apple Maps and Google Maps have adopted police reporting or speed monitoring features. However, before assuming that Waze will protect them like a “Grand Theft Auto” cheat code, users should definitely consider all the facts. If you’re considering switching to Waze, knowing the issues with Waze’s police reporting feature might influence your decision.

On the road, Waze can be useful for receiving real-time information on various traffic conditions, including traffic jams, roadworks and, of course, police presence on a particular road. In 2024, the company even introduced conversational reporting to make it easier for users to submit reports using Google Gemini. Crowdsourced information can be useful for providing live updates, but it’s also one of the reasons why some users don’t like Waze in the first place.

To begin with, one of the problems with crowdsourced information is that it requires active users willing to submit reports. If you go to an area where there is little user engagement, this can potentially skew the information. This means that regions with smaller markets do not always have the most reliable information. When it comes to false information such as construction work, it can make traffic even more annoying. When it comes to policing, this can create its own set of problems.

Since Waze is community-focused, this also means that authorities can make their own reports. In March 2026, reports began circulating that a police department had added its own police markers to a stretch of road. However, Waze has safeguards in place to prevent spam reports, and Google implements a verification system to confirm the data. However, these confirmations require further verification from other drivers, which can also create additional obstacles. Potential misinformation can be a source of distrust in a system, potentially leading users to question the information Waze provides them.

In addition to the safeguards put in place to potentially thwart those seeking to spread misinformation, Waze also has additional systems that attempt to verify the accuracy of information. As an example, a video of a police officer indicating that he was “not here” when he received a notification about his own presence in Waze began circulating on the Internet in February 2026, angering a number of users. Fortunately, that’s not necessarily how Waze works.

In theory, police are potentially able to exclude themselves from a Waze report, but it would take a certain number of “not there” confirmations for Waze to eliminate the report. Just as it is possible to prevent authorities from adding false reports, the same is true when they try to get rid of certain reports. Waze also has systems in place to prevent spam, including blocking users who might report too much information. If something is excessively rejected, the rest of the community will not be able to see it. This is one of the reasons why users can collect Waze Points, as it helps build community.

Of course, users can still report a police sighting by opening Waze, tapping the yellow plus sign in the lower right corner, and tapping Police. The app will automatically select Police for you, but users can also provide details such as whether the police are hidden, using mobile cameras or on the other side of the road. Click Report to submit the complaint. However, remember that the information is not always as accurate as you would like.

Waze has notifications enabled by default, but turning them off for any reason may prevent you from accessing information you might need, including police reports. If you feel like you’re not getting the alerts you need, you can always check through Waze’s settings.

Here are the steps:

1. Open Waze.

2. Select the three horizontal lines.

3. Choose Settings.

4. Tap Alerts & Reports.

5. You will see a list of different alerts. Select Font.

6. On the next screen, choose your preferences. Make sure Show on map and Alert while driving are turned on.

The great thing about Waze is that you can customize alerts to meet your needs. Show on Map ensures that you receive alerts directly on your map, while Alert While Driving promises to provide a voice alert as well as an on-screen pop-up. This means you can set police alerts however you want, but you can, for example, turn off blocked lane alerts.

It’s important to remember about alerts that Waze may intentionally limit the number of notifications you see to alleviate distractions. Users don’t always receive certain alerts, and Google tries to base notifications on a number of factors, including relevance and how often you can take that route.

Crowdsourced information can have its fair share of problems, but there’s also the fact that modern apps can still have their own bugs and flaws. Like anything that relies on the Internet, it’s possible for Waze’s servers to go down, but other issues can also arise that require users to do additional research if they want the app to work as it should.

In August 2026, reports began circulating that Waze’s police reporting system was having issues. In addition to some users not receiving notifications about police activity, there was also an incident with the reporting system itself. Users were submitting data and receiving confirmations only to discover that their actual reports were not appearing in the app. The issue was addressed and resolved by Waze, but such issues can potentially disrupt a user’s drive.

Even if the application behaves well, problems can still arise. While users are supposed to receive real-time notifications, the reality is that actual reporting can often experience a delay. This means that notifications can often take several minutes to move through the system. In itself, this can create problems for users who need immediate information.

In the United States, Waze’s police reporting feature is protected by the First Amendment, which protects free speech. So while users don’t have to worry about being fined or jailed for reporting, the fact remains that Waze potentially prevents authorities from catching speedsters. Without being too bitter, exceeding a posted speed limit is a traffic offense which can pose a risk to other road users.

We’re not going to pull out the projector and show you old videos like you may have seen in a driver’s education class, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlights the fact that excessive speed was responsible for 11,288 deaths in 2024. Some may not like to hear it, but routine traffic enforcement can help reduce dangerous driving. Officers say Waze could also allow some serious offenses to go unnoticed. For example, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) asked Google in 2019 to remove any information related to DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) checkpoints. Google responded that police alerts can help drivers be more careful on the road.

Waze is not necessarily dangerous in itself. After all, the app comes with various security features, but the argument regarding police alerts in Waze is obviously twofold. The app may be there to help you avoid a speeding ticket, but being mindful of your driving habits can potentially help avoid being pulled over in the first place. Also think about your seat belt. It can save lives, you know.