Richland Police Records
The Richland Police Department Records Division handles public records requests for incident reports, arrest records, and law enforcement documents in Richland, Washington. Requests can be filed online through the city's GovQA portal, by mail, or in person at the department on George Washington Way.
Richland Police Records Overview
Richland Police Department Records Division
The Richland Police Department Records Division is the main point of contact for police records in the city. The division is located at 871 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352. You can reach them by phone at (509) 942-7385. Staff process all public records requests under the Washington Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, which sets the rules for how and when the city must respond.
The city uses GovQA as its records management platform, branded as "My Records Center." When you submit a request, the system assigns a reference number you can use to track progress. For large or complex requests, Richland may provide records in installments. Staff will send email notifications when each installment is ready. They also give estimated dates for the next batch and update you if more time is needed. The final notification will confirm your request is complete.
If you cannot access records from a mobile device, the city recommends using a desktop browser instead. City Attorney Heather Kintzley oversees public records compliance. Her office is at 625 Swift Blvd., MS-07, Richland, WA 99352. The Records Division processes all standard law enforcement records including incident reports and accident reports.
How to Request Richland Police Records
There are three ways to submit a request for Richland police records. Online through the GovQA portal is the fastest option. You can also mail a written request to the Records Division at 871 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352. In-person requests are accepted at the same address during business hours. All three methods follow the same legal process under the Washington Public Records Act.
When you submit a request, include as much detail as you can. Provide the date of the incident, names of parties involved, the address where the event occurred, and the case or incident number if you have it. Specific requests get processed faster. Vague or broad requests may be placed in a higher complexity category, which extends response times. The city categorizes requests by how easy or hard they are to fulfill and adjusts timelines accordingly.
State law gives the city five business days to respond. That response may be the actual records, an estimate of when records will be ready, a request for clarification, or a written denial citing specific legal exemptions. If you are denied records, the denial letter must state the specific law that allows the city to withhold them.
Collision Reports and Traffic Records
Richland Police handles traffic stops and vehicle incidents within city limits. However, collision reports are not requested directly from the Richland Police Department. The Washington State Patrol is the central repository for all Police Traffic Collision Reports in the state. You should request collision reports through the WSP collision records system, which costs $10.50 per report. This applies to collisions investigated by Richland PD, Benton County Sheriff, or WSP troopers alike.
If you need your own statewide criminal history background check, you can get one through the WATCH system run by Washington State Patrol. The fee is $11. This gives you a certified copy of your Washington criminal history record and is often needed for professional licenses, housing applications, or other purposes. Results are available immediately for most requests.
Body Camera and Sensitive Record Requests
Richland police officers are equipped with body worn cameras. Footage from these cameras can be requested through the public records process, but certain rules apply. Video may be redacted or withheld if it involves active investigations, minor victims, medical information, or other exempt categories under state law. The city may charge fees to cover the cost of staff time spent reviewing and redacting footage before release.
Some records are exempt from public disclosure under RCW 10.97, the Criminal Records Privacy Act. This statute limits access to non-conviction records, including arrests that did not result in charges or convictions. Records involving ongoing investigations may also be temporarily withheld. The city must still tell you that records exist and explain why they are being withheld, even if they cannot release them right now.
Statewide Criminal History Records
The Richland Police Department can provide records for incidents that occurred within city limits. It does not hold records for Benton County Sheriff calls or state police activities. For a broader criminal history search that covers multiple agencies statewide, the Washington State Patrol maintains the official criminal history system. You can learn more about statewide records access at the WSP criminal history page.
The state courts system also holds conviction records and case outcomes. Court records from cases filed in Benton County Superior Court or District Court can be searched through the Washington Courts name and case search. Court records show whether charges were filed, how a case was resolved, and any sentences imposed. These records are separate from police records, which document the original incident and investigation.
For guidance on how arrest and criminal history records are handled across Washington law enforcement agencies, the Municipal Research and Services Center has a useful overview at mrsc.org. This resource explains the legal framework and typical agency practices.
Washington Public Records Law and Your Rights
Washington's Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, gives anyone the right to request public records. You do not have to be a Washington resident. You do not have to explain why you want the records. The law applies to all state and local agencies, including city police departments. Richland must follow these rules and cannot ask why you want a record before deciding whether to release it.
The city may charge fees for copies. Standard rates in Washington are $0.15 per page for black and white paper copies and $0.10 per page for scanned records. Electronic files may have per-file or per-gigabyte charges. The city can require a deposit of up to 10 percent of estimated costs for large requests. If your request is simple and the fee is small, staff may waive it.
If you think the city has wrongly withheld records, you can ask the Washington State Attorney General's Office to review the denial. You can also file a lawsuit in superior court. Courts take the Public Records Act seriously and have found against agencies that failed to release records or respond on time. Agencies can face financial penalties for non-compliance.
Benton County Police Records
Richland police records are maintained by the Richland Police Department for incidents within city limits. The city sits in Benton County, and county records are kept by the Benton County Sheriff's Office for areas outside city limits.
Nearby Cities
These cities are close to Richland and handle police records through their own departments.