Search Bellevue Police Blotter
Bellevue police blotter and incident records are managed by the Bellevue Police Department, serving roughly 160,000 residents in King County. The department's Public Records Center accepts requests for incident reports, arrest logs, and other police records. You can reach the records unit by email at BPDRecords@BellevueWA.gov or submit requests through the department's online portal. Walk-in hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 9 AM to 4 PM and Friday from 9 AM to 1 PM. The office is closed Mondays. Under Washington's Public Records Act, the department must respond to all requests within five business days.
Bellevue Overview
Bellevue Police Department
The Bellevue Police Department operates out of headquarters at 450 110th Ave NE. The Public Records Center within the department handles all records requests from the public. You can submit requests by email, in person during records hours, or through the department's online portal. Email is often the easiest option for straightforward requests.
Bellevue's 911 calls are dispatched through NORCOM, the Northeast King County Regional Public Safety Communications Agency. NORCOM serves Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and several other cities. If you need dispatch records or 911 call audio, those requests may go to NORCOM rather than Bellevue PD directly. The department can point you in the right direction when you contact them.
Body camera footage requests are subject to additional review under RCW 42.56.240(14). This state law requires agencies to review law enforcement video before release and redact footage that implicates specific privacy or safety concerns. These requests usually take longer than standard document requests.
| Agency | Bellevue Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 450 110th Ave NE Bellevue, WA 98004 |
| Non-Emergency | (425) 577-5656 |
| Records Email | BPDRecords@BellevueWA.gov |
| Records Hours | Tue-Thu 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Closed Monday) |
| Department Website | bellevuewa.gov/police |
| Public Records | bellevuewa.gov/police/public-records |
How to Search Bellevue Police Records
You have several ways to request records from Bellevue PD. Email is the most direct route for most people. Send your request to BPDRecords@BellevueWA.gov with as much detail as you can provide. Include the date, location, and type of incident. If you have a case number or report number, include that too. Staff will acknowledge your request and let you know when to expect records.
In-person requests are accepted at the records window during published hours. Note that the office is closed on Mondays. If you plan to visit, call the non-emergency line at (425) 577-5656 first to confirm what you need to bring and check for any schedule changes. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can look up records while you wait for simple requests.
For records about body camera footage, expect a longer timeline. The law requires that video be reviewed and appropriate sections redacted before release. The department will give you an estimated completion date when they receive a video request. These requests often take several weeks.
Tips for a faster response:
- Be specific about the incident date and location
- Include the report number if you already have it
- Specify the format you want (PDF, printed copy, etc.)
- Ask for only what you need rather than broad sweeping requests
Bellevue Police Blotter and Incident Reports
Bellevue's police blotter covers the full range of law enforcement activity in the city, from traffic incidents to serious crimes. The department responds to tens of thousands of calls per year across the city's neighborhoods, commercial areas, and downtown core. Incident data is part of the public record under Washington law.
Individual incident reports document what happened at each call. These reports include the location, type of incident, and actions taken by responding officers. Some parts of a report may be redacted if the investigation is active, if releasing the information could compromise a prosecution, or if victim information is protected under state law. Reports involving juveniles are handled under special rules.
Arrest records in Bellevue show who was taken into custody, the charges, and booking details. These records are generally public once an arrest is made. If the matter proceeds to court, the case file moves to King County Superior Court, where the court clerk maintains separate records. The Bellevue PD file and the court file are different documents.
The department also generates use-of-force reports, crime statistics, and annual reports. These are often posted publicly on the department website without a formal request. Check the department site before submitting a records request, as some information may already be available in published form.
Washington Public Records Act
Washington's Public Records Act at RCW 42.56 requires all government agencies to provide public access to records. The law applies to Bellevue PD and all other public agencies. Agencies must respond within five business days, either by releasing the records, denying the request with a written explanation, or notifying you when records will be ready.
There is no fee to search for records. Agencies can charge for copying. Electronic records sent by email or download are usually free. If you want paper copies, the agency can charge a small per-page fee. They can also charge for the cost of producing electronic records if it takes substantial staff time, but they must give you an estimate before doing that work.
Exemptions exist. Law enforcement records covered by common exemptions include active investigation files, records that would reveal the identity of confidential informants, victim personal information, and certain body camera footage. The department must cite the specific statutory exemption for any record it withholds. A blanket refusal without a legal basis violates the law.
If Bellevue PD does not respond within five business days or improperly denies your request, you can seek help from the Washington State Attorney General's Office or file an action in King County Superior Court. Agencies that break the rules face daily penalty fines under RCW 42.56.
Bellevue Police Department Online Resources
The Bellevue Police Department website provides department information, news releases, and links to the records process.
The site includes officer resources, crime prevention programs, and contact information for the records unit.
The Bellevue public records page walks through the process for requesting police reports and other records.
This page includes hours, contact details, and instructions for submitting requests by email or in person.
The Bellevue Police Public Records Center provides an online submission option for records requests.
Online requests are tracked through the portal, and you receive email updates when your records are ready.
King County Police Blotter
Bellevue is in King County. The King County Sheriff's Office serves unincorporated parts of the county and maintains its own records systems. For county-level police records and sheriff's office information, visit the King County police blotter page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Bellevue. Each has its own police department or contracting law enforcement agency.