Redmond Police Records
Redmond police records are managed by the Redmond Police Department Records Unit in King County. The department operates an online Police Records Request Portal as the preferred submission channel for all public records requests. Whether you need an incident report, case file, or other law enforcement document, submitting through the portal ensures your request is properly routed and tracked. The Records Unit is open Monday through Friday and responds to requests within the timeframes set by Washington State law.
Redmond Police Records Overview
How to Request Redmond Police Records
All requests for Redmond Police Department records should go through the Police Records Request Portal. When submitting, select the "Police Records Request" box to make sure your request is routed to the correct unit. You can also submit in person, by mail, or by fax, but the portal is the preferred method. The Redmond Police Department is located at 8701 160th Avenue NE, Redmond, WA 98052. The main phone line is (425) 556-2500. The Records Unit can be reached directly at (425) 556-2600, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Public counter hours for records are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Requests are processed in the order they are received. If a request arrives after 5 p.m., it is considered received on the following business day. The department follows a queue policy: if you already have an open request, new requests from the same person are queued separately. This policy exists to keep records flowing to all members of the public, not just high-volume requesters. It means your second request will not be worked on until your first is complete.
Under RCW 42.56.520, the department has five business days to respond. That response might provide the records, acknowledge receipt with an estimated completion date, request clarification, or deny the request with a written explanation.
If the department needs more time beyond five business days, they must provide an estimated completion date per RCW 42.56. Volume of requests and legal review can both extend timelines on complex submissions.
Fees and Payment for Redmond Police Records
There is a charge for copies of public records from the Redmond Police Department. The department's website lists current fees, and you should check before submitting to understand what costs may apply. Payment can be made by VISA, MasterCard, personal check, or business check at the Police Department. Cash payments must be made in person at City Hall's Customer Service Desk after requesting an invoice at the Police Records Counter. Cash is not accepted at the police records counter itself.
For traffic collision reports, Redmond PD notes that these records can often be obtained through the Washington State Patrol Collision Report Search without going through the local records request process. The WSP site at wsp.wa.gov/driver/collision-records/ makes reports available for $10.50 within approximately 48 to 72 hours after the report is approved. Using WSP's system directly may be faster than a local records request if WSP holds the report.
Redmond Police Records and Exemptions
All public records held by the Redmond Police Department are subject to disclosure unless a specific exemption applies. If a record or portion of a record is exempt, the Records Unit will notify you and identify the qualifying exemption. You will receive everything that is not protected. Common exemptions include active investigation materials, personal data of victims, juvenile records, and certain personnel information. The department cannot simply decline a request without citing the specific legal basis for withholding.
Washington's Public Records Act at RCW 42.56 governs the entire process. You don't need a reason to request records, and the department cannot require you to explain your purpose. The law applies equally to all requesters regardless of who they are or why they are asking. If you believe a record is being improperly withheld, you can challenge the denial through an administrative appeal or, as a last resort, through the courts.
For minor, non-emergency incidents within Redmond city limits, the department offers online reporting as a way to file a report without waiting for an officer. Examples include mail theft, vandalism, hit and run, and vehicle prowl with no known suspects. Online reports are available 24/7 and do not require a police response to generate a record. Copies of those reports can then be requested through the records portal.
The Redmond PD Records Unit handles all records requests, not just police records. If you are looking for a different type of city record, such as permits or city council documents, those would go through the City Clerk's office rather than the Police Department.
Criminal History and Background Checks
Statewide criminal history data for Washington residents is maintained by the Washington State Patrol, not by the Redmond Police Department. To run a background check, use the WATCH program at fortress.wa.gov/wsp/watch/. The fee is $11.00 per search. WATCH returns criminal history records from across Washington state, not just King County or Redmond. This is the appropriate resource for personal background checks and most non-law-enforcement uses.
Criminal history records are also subject to RCW 10.97, the Criminal Records Privacy Act, which limits access to certain arrest records, especially those that did not result in conviction. More information about criminal history record maintenance and access is available at wsp.wa.gov/crime/criminal-history/. The Municipal Research and Services Center also publishes guidance on what law enforcement records are available to the public under Washington law.
Court Records for Redmond Cases
Court documents tied to Redmond criminal or civil cases are held by the Washington State Courts. The Redmond Police Department does not maintain court records. Use the Washington Courts name and case search to look up case filings, hearing information, and case outcomes for Redmond-related matters. Superior court matters flow through King County Superior Court. Municipal and district court records may be accessible through the statewide search or directly from the relevant court.
A police incident report and a court record are two different documents that capture different parts of the same event. The police report reflects what officers observed and documented. The court record tracks what happened legally after that. If you need both, you'll need to request from both sources. Neither agency shares records with the other by default, and you cannot get court records from a police department or vice versa.
King County Police Records
Redmond police records are maintained by the Redmond Police Department. The city sits in King County, which handles records for unincorporated areas and contracted cities through the King County Sheriff.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Redmond handle police records through their own departments.