Spokane County Police Blotter
The Spokane County police blotter covers incident reports, arrest logs, and law enforcement records maintained by the Spokane County Sheriff's Office. If you need to search for a police report or arrest record from eastern Washington's largest county, the Sheriff's online portal is your starting point. Spokane County is the second-most populous county in Washington. It includes the cities of Spokane and Spokane Valley, as well as many surrounding communities. The Sheriff covers unincorporated areas while the Spokane Police Department handles city incidents separately. This page explains how to find and request records from both agencies.
Spokane County Overview
Spokane County Sheriff's Office Records
The Spokane County Sheriff's Office is the main source for police blotter records in the county. The office handles patrol, investigations, and jail operations. Records requests go through the Sheriff's records division. You can call 509-477-6918 or submit a request through their online portal.
Spokane is a large urban county. It is the second most populous county in eastern Washington. The Sheriff's Office covers the unincorporated areas of the county. The city of Spokane has its own police department that operates separately. For records from the Spokane Police Department, call 509-625-4030. Both agencies maintain separate records. Make sure you request from the right office for the incident you are researching.
The Spokane County Public Records Office handles requests for county agency records broadly. For Sheriff-specific records, the Sheriff's records division is your best starting point. You can also submit requests by mail to: Spokane County Sheriff CAB, Attn: Civil Division, 1100 W Mallon, PSB, Spokane, WA 99260.
The Spokane County Detention Services handles the county jail and inmate records. If you need to find someone currently held in the county jail, this is the right contact. Detention Services maintains booking records and can confirm whether someone is in custody.
| Agency | Spokane County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Spokane, WA 99260 |
| Website | spokanecounty.gov/sheriff |
| Records Phone | 509-477-6918 |
| Mailing Address | 1100 W Mallon, PSB, Spokane, WA 99260 |
| Public Records Office | Records Requests Portal |
How to Search Spokane County Police Blotter
There are several ways to get Spokane County police records. The fastest option for current inmate status is to contact Detention Services directly. For incident reports and full blotter records, you need to submit a formal public records request to the Sheriff's Office or the Public Records Office.
The Spokane County Records Requests page walks you through how to submit a request. You can file online or by mail. Be as specific as you can. Include names, dates, case numbers if you have them, and a brief description of the incident. The more detail you give, the quicker staff can find the right records. Vague requests often take longer to fill.
For city of Spokane incidents, go to the Spokane Police Department separately. Their non-emergency line is 509-625-4030. The city and county are distinct agencies and do not share a records portal. If you are not sure which agency responded to an incident, check the address. City limits incidents go to SPD. Everything outside city limits goes to the Sheriff.
Note: Under RCW 42.56.520, agencies must respond to public records requests within five business days. Large or complex requests may require additional time.
Spokane County Incident Reports
Incident reports form the core of the Spokane County blotter. Each report covers a specific law enforcement response. This includes traffic stops, theft calls, domestic disturbance responses, assaults, and more serious crimes. Reports include the date, location, type of incident, officer notes, and any involved parties. These documents are what most people want when they search the blotter.
Some details may be withheld from public copies. Washington law under RCW 10.97 governs how criminal history information can be released. Victim names, witness details, and information tied to ongoing investigations may be redacted. You will still get the basic facts of the incident. Juvenile records carry extra protections and are often not released to the public at all.
Spokane County has a high call volume compared to smaller counties. The Sheriff responds to thousands of incidents each year across the unincorporated county area. The city of Spokane PD handles its own call logs. Combined, these two agencies cover a large share of crime reporting for eastern Washington's largest population center.
Washington Public Records Act
Washington's Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) gives the public the right to access government records, including police blotter data. The law applies to all agencies in the state. You do not have to explain why you want a record. The default is open access unless a specific legal exemption applies.
After you submit a request, the agency has five business days to respond. That response can be the records, a notice that more time is needed, or a denial. Denials must cite a specific legal exemption. Common exemptions for law enforcement records include active investigations, victim privacy, and certain personal data. If a denial seems wrong, you can ask for an internal review or contact the state Attorney General's office for guidance.
Fees for public records are set under RCW 42.56.120. Agencies charge actual copy costs. Electronic records tend to cost less. The Spokane County Public Records Office can provide a fee estimate before you finalize a large request.
Spokane County Jail and Inmate Records
The Spokane County Detention Services runs the county jail. If you need to find out if someone is in custody, contact Detention Services directly. They can confirm current inmate status and provide booking information. Spokane County operates a large jail facility given the county's population size.
Booking records are generally public under Washington's Public Records Act. These records include the name of the person booked, charges, and booking date. If you are looking for someone recently arrested, booking records are usually available faster than a full incident report. Contact Detention Services for the most current information.
Note: Jail rosters are updated regularly but may not always show the most recent bookings in real time. For urgent status checks, call Detention Services directly.
Traffic Collision and Criminal History Records
Traffic collision reports for Spokane County crashes are available through the Washington State Patrol Collision Records program. These are separate from the Sheriff's incident reports. You can order by mail or online through WSP. There is a per-report fee. WSP handles collision records for the whole state, including Spokane County.
For criminal history checks, the Washington State Patrol WATCH system lets you search by name across the state. This gives a broader view of someone's record than a local blotter search. There is a fee for this service. Court records for Spokane County cases are searchable through the Washington Courts case search portal. This covers district court, superior court, and municipal court records for the county.
The state archives at Washington State Archives can help with older records no longer on file locally. Historical law enforcement records from decades past may have been transferred there for long-term storage.
Spokane County Sheriff - Screenshots
The Spokane County Sheriff's website provides access to public records request tools, news releases, and law enforcement information for the county.
The Sheriff's main page links to community resources, records requests, and detention services for Spokane County.
The Spokane County Public Records Office handles records requests across county agencies and provides guidance on how to access blotter and incident report data.
The Public Records Office page explains the request process, response timelines, and what fees may apply for copies.
The Spokane County Records Requests portal lets you submit a formal public records request online for Sheriff and other county agency records.
The portal lets you describe the records you need and submit your contact information for follow-up from county staff.
Cities in Spokane County
Spokane County includes several cities and towns. The two largest cities each have their own dedicated records pages on this site.
- Spokane - County seat and largest city; the Spokane Police Department handles city law enforcement records.
- Spokane Valley - Second-largest city in the county; contact Spokane Valley Police for city records.
Other communities in Spokane County include Cheney, Airway Heights, Liberty Lake, Millwood, and Fairfield. For these smaller cities and unincorporated areas, the Spokane County Sheriff's Office handles records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Spokane County. Each county has its own Sheriff's Office and records division for local blotter and incident report requests.