Bothell Arrest Records and Police Blotter

Bothell police blotter records are handled by the Bothell Police Department, which serves approximately 55,000 residents across a city that straddles both King and Snohomish counties. The department maintains a transparency portal and accepts public records requests through its online records portal at bothellwa.gov. You can also call (425) 486-1254 to speak with the records unit. Washington's Public Records Act requires the department to respond within five business days of receiving a request.

Bothell Police Department

The Bothell Police Department serves a city with a unique geographic situation: Bothell sits on the border of King and Snohomish counties. For law enforcement purposes, the city operates as a single jurisdiction. The police department handles all calls across the city regardless of which county the specific address falls in. This dual-county location does not change how records requests are processed. All requests go through the Bothell PD records unit.

The department operates a transparency portal, which publishes some data about department activity without requiring a formal records request. This can include use-of-force summaries, traffic stop data, and other reports the department releases as part of its community transparency efforts. Check the portal before submitting a request, as the information you need may already be published there.

For records not covered by the transparency portal, submit a formal request through the online records portal at bothellwa.gov/373/Police-Records-Requests. The department also accepts requests by phone, mail, and in person. Phone the records unit at (425) 486-1254 to ask about availability before submitting if you are not sure what to request.

How to Search Bothell Police Records

The Bothell PD records portal at bothellwa.gov/373/Police-Records-Requests is the primary way to submit a request. The page walks through the submission process and provides a form you can complete online. You will need to describe what you are looking for clearly, including relevant dates, locations, and any report or case numbers you already have.

Call (425) 486-1254 if you prefer to ask questions before submitting. Staff can confirm whether records exist, explain the request process, and tell you how to phrase your request for the best results. This is especially helpful if you are searching for records from a specific incident and are not sure of the exact date or location.

The transparency portal on the department website is also worth checking. It may already have summary data about the period or activity you are interested in. Published data on the portal does not require a formal request and is available to anyone who visits the site.

For records involving court proceedings, contact the relevant county clerk. If the incident occurred in the King County portion of Bothell, charges would be filed in King County District or Superior Court. If it occurred in the Snohomish County portion, those cases go to Snohomish County courts. Bothell PD can tell you which court handles a specific case.

Bothell Police Blotter and Incident Reports

Bothell police blotter data covers incidents across the full city, including both the King County and Snohomish County sections. The department handles a mix of residential calls, traffic incidents, and commercial area activity. Incident logs and call data are public records under Washington law and are available through a formal records request.

Incident reports document individual calls and the actions taken by responding officers. These reports are among the most commonly requested records from police departments. They are useful if you were involved in an incident and need a copy for insurance purposes, legal proceedings, or personal records. The report includes the narrative, any evidence collected, and the disposition of the call.

Arrest records show who was taken into custody, when and where, and what charges were filed. These are generally public records. Once charges are filed in court, the case file is held by the relevant county court clerk. The two county systems operate independently, so make sure you know which county your case is in before contacting a court clerk.

The department's transparency portal supplements the formal records request system. It may include published data on use of force, traffic stops, and other department activities. Published data on the portal is available without a request, though it may not include the level of detail found in individual incident reports.

Washington Public Records Act

All public records requests to Bothell PD are governed by RCW 42.56, Washington's Public Records Act. The law gives everyone the right to request records from public agencies. The city must respond within five business days, either by providing records, denying the request with a written explanation citing a specific exemption, or giving you an estimate of when records will be ready.

You do not need to live in Bothell to request records. You do not need to explain your reason for wanting them. The request just needs to describe the records well enough that staff can locate them. Electronic records are typically delivered at no cost. Physical copies may carry a small per-page fee.

Common exemptions in police records include active investigation materials, victim personal information, juvenile records, and certain body camera footage. If the department withholds records, they must tell you which specific section of RCW 42.56 applies. If you believe records were improperly withheld, you have remedies including a complaint to the Attorney General or a lawsuit in superior court.

Bothell Police Department Online Resources

The Bothell Police Department website provides department information, the transparency portal, and links to the records request process.

The site includes contact information for the records unit and links to the online request form.

The Bothell Police transparency portal publishes data on department activities that is available without a formal records request.

The portal includes use-of-force data, traffic stop statistics, and other published department information.

Snohomish County Police Blotter

Bothell primarily falls under Snohomish County jurisdiction for most city purposes. The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement in unincorporated parts of the county. For county-level police records and sheriff's information, visit the Snohomish County police blotter page.

View Snohomish County Police Blotter

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Bothell and each has its own police records system.