Below are answers to frequently asked questions. If you do not find the answer to your question, please email BellevuePD@bellevuewa.gov.
Report a Crime
What crimes can I report online?
If the crime is not an emergency, it occurred within the Bellevue city limits, there are no known suspects and it did not occur on the freeway, you may use the police online portal to file a report. Every report is reviewed by an officer.
You can also report crime tips or traffic complaints through the online reporting portal. For more information visit the Bellevue Police website “Report a Crime” page.
How do I report a crime online?
Make sure you have all your information in front of you and then file a report. Please make sure to turn off your pop-up blocking software before filing the report.
See Reporting FAQs for more information about online reporting.
Police Records Request
How do I obtain a police report or record?
Police records include case reports, collision reports, crime statistics, incident reports and photographs, and audio/video associated with police cases. Requests must concern identifiable records relating to the conduct of Bellevue police business prepared, owned, used, or retained by the Bellevue department.
Please see Police Public Records for more information.
Concealed Pistol License
How do I apply for a concealed pistol license?
Fingerprints must be taken for new applicants. Bellevue Fingerprinting Service, a local business, meets Bellevue police requirements and will submit fingerprint cards for applicants. Applicants are not required to use their services. Should you find a different vendor to take your fingerprints, you will need to submit your fingerprint card sealed by the selected fingerprinting service to the Police Records Unit by mail, together with your completed application and fee. Bellevue Fingerprinting Service and other vendors may charge fees for their services.
Please contact the Police Records Unit before submitting your application at 425-452-6917 or BPDRecords@bellevuewa.gov during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). We will provide you with all of the necessary information.
Please see Concealed Pistol License for more information about requirements and fees.
How do I renew my Firearm Dealer License?
Sector Captains
What is the Sector Captain program?
How do I contact my Sector Captain?
A captain is assigned to each of three geographical sectors -- North, South, and West -- and is ultimately responsible for issues taking place in their sector. If you have an ongoing problem affecting your neighborhood, contact your sector captain. To identify the sector for your neighborhood, please refer to the sector captain map. You may contact your sector captain through this link.
Do not contact the sector captain to report crimes or incidents in progress. Please call 9-1-1 for emergencies or the police non-emergency number at (425) 577-5656.
Traffic and Parking Issues
How do I report problem traffic areas?
How do I report parking violations or abandoned vehicles?
Homelessness Assistance
How do I request assistance for people experience homelessness or report an encampment?
You can request homelessness assistance for an individual experiencing homelessness or with a homeless encampment through MyBellevue Customer Assistance. You can find more information about the City of Bellevue’s approach to homelessness on the city's website.
Crime Prevention
How can I get crime prevention information?
- Developing, managing, coordinating, and implementing a variety of crime prevention, safety, and community relations programs for the Police Department, including, but not limited to Neighborhood Watch, marijuana retail/commercial program, Downtown Business Association liaison, and the Cry Wolf False Alarm Reduction Program;
- Conduct crime prevention education services including, but not limited to, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), security assessments, Identity Theft awareness, Adult and Child Safety Education, Drug Prevention, Cyber Safety, Elder Abuse, and Workplace Violence Education.
- Interfaces with the media, police or city public information officers, and city staff regarding programs and city crime-related issues.
- Acts as a liaison between the police department and the community on crime-related topics and serves as an information resource to citizens and the public.
You can find crime prevention resources and information on the BPD website. If you can't find the information there, contact the Crime Prevention Officer at crimeprevention@bellevuewa.gov.
Complaints and Compliments
How do I file a complaint?
There are several ways to contact the Police Office of Accountability and file a complaint or compliment. All complaints are thoroughly investigated.
If you wish to file a complaint in person, you can come to the City Hall Police Station and request a supervisor. While at the station, you can also obtain a written complaint form that can be returned via fax or mail. You can also make use of the lobby computer to email or fill out an online complaint.
You can send an email to bpdaccountability@bellevuwa.gov or file an online complaint or compliment. You can call and leave a message for the sergeant in the Office of Accountability, 425-452-6173.
Finally, you can speak with an on-duty supervisor by phone to file a complaint. Contact NORCOM 911 at any time of the day or night at the police non-emergency number 425-577-5656. An on-duty supervisor is always available to speak with you.
What happens when a complaint is filed?
Complaints are routed to the officer’s direct supervisor. The supervisor will conduct a fact-finding investigation and advise the Office of Accountability of the details of the complaint. If the matter alleges serious misconduct, the Office of Accountability will coordinate with the involved employee’s Chain of Command to include the Chief of Police, who will then assign it to the Office of Accountability to investigate. This type of complaint is known as a Formal Standards Investigation and could result in discipline, including termination for the officer.
If the matter is determined to involve dissatisfaction of service delivered or allegations of minor misconduct, the officer’s direct supervisor or Office of Accountability will investigate the complaint. This is known as a Dissatisfaction of Service Complaint or an Informal Standards investigation.
If the complaint involves an allegation of criminal misconduct, the Chief of Police may request an outside law enforcement agency to conduct the criminal investigation. All complaints of sexual harassment or unlawful workplace harassment are also reported to the City’s Human Resources Department.
All complaints are filed within the Office of Accountability and retained as per Washington State records retention laws.
How is the complaint investigated?
Who makes the final decision?
Is there an early warning system to evaluate on-going behavior by officers?
How many complaints does the Bellevue Police Department receive?
Is there an independent investigation regarding deadly use of force?
Can I view the Bellevue Police Department's Use of Force policy and past incidents?
How do I send a compliment?
You can send in a compliment in a variety of ways. You can contact the Office of Accountability at (425) 452-4552 or bpdaccountability@bellevuewa.gov. You can also fill out a feedback form which will be sent to the Office of Accountability.
Compliments will be sent to the officer and the officer's supervisor.
Officer Training
What types of training do Bellevue Police officers receive?
This equivalency academy instructs them on Washington State-specific laws and procedures.
The second stage of training required to be a Bellevue Police Officer is the 227-hour in-house curriculum designed to reinforce skills learned in the academy and topics specific to the City of Bellevue. This training includes department expectations of officer conduct, ethical behavior, unbiased (anti-discrimination) policing, constitutional law, use of force, firearms, de-escalation, department policies and procedures, and our culture of community policing and engagement.
The third stage is our 16-week Field Training Program. The new officer is assigned to various experienced Field Training Officers to ensure they have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform at the high level we demand as a police officer for the City of Bellevue. After successful completion of field training, the officers continue to be closely monitored and evaluated until they have completed their probationary period, which is usually one year.
Our officers are also required to attend annual ongoing training each year.
The minimum in-service training required by the state of Washington is 24 hours; however, most complete many more than that. Part of this ongoing, annual refresher training specifically addresses unbiased policing, implicit bias, ethics, and use of force. The minimum 24-hours must also include successfully completing the state-mandated annual Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) course through the WA State CJTC.
Are officers trained to de-escalate altercations?
De-escalation is incorporated into our yearly in-service, scenario-based training. These are developed and taught by our certified instructors and are meant to reinforce de-escalation tactics.
All our officers are trained in a state-certified program called Crisis Intervention Training. After the initial 8 hour or 40-hour training class, we also attend a 2-hour refresher class every year. Officers also can request trained mental health professionals to respond to scenes when their expertise would be beneficial.
Are Bellevue officers thoroughly vetted to ensure they don't have a history with abuse, racism, xenophobia, discrimination or participation in hate groups?
A specifically trained background investigator then completes an investigation to ensure the information supplied in the PHQ was accurate and truthful. Part of this process also includes a polygraph exam and a psychological exam.
Honesty and integrity are essential traits for a successful career in law enforcement. Any false statements, presence of automatic disqualifiers, lack of candor, cheating, or failure to fully divulge requested information during a background investigation may result in immediate disqualification from the hiring process.
Use of Force
What are the guidelines for use of force?
Can officers use chokeholds or neck restraints?
By state law, officers are prohibited from using chokeholds and neck restraints.
Are officers allowed to shoot at or from moving vehicles?
Are Bellevue police officers trained to perform and seek necessary medical action after using force?
Policy 01.00.010 – Use of Force states, “When safe to do so, officers shall ensure that all persons involved in the use of force receive first aid or medical treatment if needed or requested. If the officer is in doubt as to the necessity of medical attention, officers will seek guidance from a supervisor.”
Volunteer Opportunities
What volunteer opportunities are there at the Bellevue Police Department?
How do I apply to be a police volunteer?
What is Paws on Patrol and how do I sign up?
You and your dog (or any pet you take for a walk!) can become a crime-fighting duo. As you walk your neighborhood, all you need to do is pay attention to any suspicious activity. No one knows your neighborhood better than those who frequently walk it. Having an extra set of eyes and ears, sniffing out, and reporting suspicious events can help reduce and prevent crime.
All you have to do is sign up. You'll receive basic training on how to spot suspicious activity, plus your crime-fighting partner will get a special Paws on Patrol tag. You can apply through this link.
How do I join a Police Advisory Council?
The Bellevue Police Department has seven Police Advisory Councils to the Chief, African American, Muslim, Latino, LGBTQI, Interfaith, API, and South Asian.
The goal is to strengthen the relationship between the department and the community through trust, respect, and mutual understanding. We do this by establishing an environment that promotes dialogue, education, and a true partnership.
For more information about the Police Advisory Councils, see the Bellevue police website.
If you are interested in joining an advisory council, please contact Major Andrew Popochock at apopochock@bellevuewa.gov.
How does the Bellevue Police Department engage with the community?
Police Advisory Councils
The Bellevue Police Department has seven Police Advisory Councils to the Chief, African American, Muslim, Latino, LGBTQI, Interfaith, API, and South Asian.
The goal is to strengthen the relationship between the department and the community through trust, respect, and mutual understanding. We do this by establishing an environment that promotes dialogue, education, and a true partnership.
For more information about the Police Advisory Councils, see the Bellevue police website.
If you are interested in joining an advisory council, please contact Major Andrew Popochock at apopochock@bellevuewa.gov.
Public safety forums and informational meetings
Community Station Officers
Community Academy
The Bellevue Police Department hosts two Community Academies each year where community members spend 12 weeks learning about the police department. The academy covers topics like police use of force, firearms, and patrol procedures. To find out when the next is scheduled or to apply click this link.
Community Events
Each year the Bellevue Police department participates in the citywide National Night Out against crime event in August.
Officers bring patrol cars, motorcycles, and specialty rigs to engage with the community. Neighborhoods throw BBQs, get to know the officers and each other, all while promoting safety.
Additionally, Bellevue officers also hold the Child Safety Fair at the Marketplace in Factoria. Families can learn child safety tips, get a free ID kit, see different police and fire rigs and get their pictures taken. Many times, a limited number of free bike helmets are available.
Social Media - Connect with Us!
Youth Outreach
- PD partners with the Boys and Girls Club by attending club activities and camps. Also, the PD provides pizza to the Boys and Girls Club Teen Center once a month. Watch the video here.
- PD sponsors at-risk youth who are willing to attend the WA youth academy
- PD partners with local nonprofit gyms to provide positive outlets for youth. Watch the video here.
- Partnership with Youth Eastside Services and the Salvation Army to support youth through various activities and events. Watch the video here.
- Partnership with the Bellevue skatepark through year-round skate camps that build positive relationships and trust with approximately 120 youth per year since 2015. Watch the video here.
- Hosting station tours for various organizations and conducting use of force demonstrations to educate groups about the variables that go into dealing with a dynamic situation.
- Partnering with pro skateboard legend Mike Vallely and his skateboard company to give away skateboards to youth in our community. Pd has given away almost 20 boards over the past two years.
- Partnering with Gainesville nonprofit basketball cop foundation, which has sent six ‘ukuleles, ten skateboards, helmets and pads, boxing gloves, and hand wraps to give away to people in our community. Watch the video here.
- Coordinating the collection and delivery of donated toys from the crossroads community center to families in need.
Support for the Community
Bellevue Police officers routinely reach out in search of ways to support families in need.
- Coordinating and hosting free grocery/food drive with nonprofit AmPowering. Watch the video here.
- Collecting donated furniture/household items and delivering those items to families coming out of homelessness with nonprofits Hopelink, Jubilee Reach, Habitat for Humanity, and the King County Housing Authority. Watch the video here.
- PD partners with the Salvation Army, serving dinner to homeless and less fortunate members. Watch the video here.
- PD runs a Paws on Patrol program that encourages dog walkers to be watchful during walks and report any potential criminal activity. You can apply here to enroll you and your four-legged crime-fighter.