Bend Oregon Police Records
Bend police records are maintained by the Bend Police Department in Deschutes County. The department has been a state-accredited law enforcement agency since 2003. Chief Mike Krantz leads the department. He joined in 2020 after a career that began at the Portland Police Bureau in 1993. Bend residents can request police records including incident reports, accident reports, and arrest records. The Records Division processes all public records requests and provides prompt, reliable support to the public.
Bend Quick Facts
Bend Police Department Overview
The Bend Police Department is a state-accredited agency. Its mission is "Protecting and serving our community with teamwork, integrity, and excellence." The department has both sworn and non-sworn staff. Sworn teams handle law enforcement. Non-sworn staff support operations through records, technology, and administrative work.
Sworn teams include Patrol, Investigations, K9, and School Resource Officers. Patrol officers respond to calls across Bend. Investigators handle serious and complex cases. The K9 unit assists with searches and tracking. School Resource Officers work in Bend schools to build relationships with students and staff.
Specialized units add depth to the department. The Major Crimes Unit handles the most serious cases. Drug Enforcement officers target drug activity in Bend. The Drone Program provides aerial support for search and rescue operations and crime scenes. Each of these units creates Bend police records that may be available through a public records request.
Non-sworn divisions include the Records Division and Technology Support. The Records Division maintains precise record-keeping and processes public records requests. The Property and Evidence Unit safeguards property, processes evidence, and coordinates with investigators on active cases.
Bend Police Records Available
Several types of police records are available from the Bend Police Department. The Records Division handles all requests. Staff work to provide prompt and reliable support to everyone who needs Bend police records.
Incident reports are the most requested type. They document crimes and calls for service in Bend. Each report includes a case number, date, time, location, and description of the event. Officers write these reports after responding to calls. Once approved, they become available for request. Most Bend police incident reports are ready within a few business days.
Accident reports cover vehicle crashes on Bend streets. Officers document the scene, the vehicles involved, the drivers, and the conditions at the time of the crash. These reports are important for insurance claims. If you were in a crash in Bend, you can request your accident report from the Records Division.
Arrest records show when Bend police take a person into custody. They list the charges, date, and booking details. These records are generally public under ORS 192.311. Some details may be withheld if they fall under a specific exemption in Oregon law.
Bend Police Contact Information
The Bend Police Department is located at 555 NE 15th St, Bend, OR 97701. The main phone number is 541-322-2960. For emergencies, call 911. The non-emergency line is 541-693-6911, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The lobby is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on most major holidays. On the second Tuesday of each month, the lobby opens at 9 a.m. instead of 8 a.m. You can visit the lobby to submit a records request in person or pick up Bend police records that are ready.
You can also reach the department by email. General inquiries go to police@bendoregon.gov. Messages for the chief go to policechief@bendoregon.gov. For records requests, the online records page is the best starting point.
Note: The Bend Police lobby closes at 5 p.m. on weekdays, but the non-emergency line at 541-693-6911 is staffed around the clock.
Requesting Bend Police Records
You can request Bend police records online, in person, or by mail. The online system is the fastest option. Visit the department's records page to start your request from home. In-person requests are handled at the lobby during business hours. Mail requests go to the Bend Police Department at 555 NE 15th St, Bend, OR 97701.
Give as much detail as you can. Include the case number if you know it. Provide the date and location. List the names of people involved. Tell the Records Division what type of record you need. Clear requests help staff find your Bend police records quickly. Vague requests may need follow-up, which takes more time.
Oregon law at ORS 192.324 sets rules for how agencies respond. Bend must acknowledge your request and respond within a reasonable time. If records are exempt, the department will cite the specific statute. If fees apply, they will tell you the cost before proceeding.
Oregon's public records request procedures are outlined in state statute. The reference below covers these procedures.
Bend follows these state procedures for all public records requests received by the Records Division.
Oregon Law and Bend Records
Oregon's public records law applies to all Bend police records. The law presumes records are open. Bend must release records unless a specific exemption applies. The department cites the exemption and explains why it applies whenever it withholds a record.
Conditional exemptions under ORS 192.345 let Bend withhold certain records after a balancing test. The department weighs the public interest in disclosure against the interest in keeping the record private. Active investigations, personal safety data, and some witness information may be withheld under these provisions.
Absolute exemptions under ORS 192.355 block disclosure entirely for certain categories. These include specific intelligence records and some confidential source information. Bend police apply these when they fit a specific record.
The Oregon Department of Justice publishes guidance on public records law. The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training certifies all law enforcement officers in Oregon, including those in Bend. You can verify officer certifications through their website.
Oregon provides tools for looking up public safety records across the state. The resource below shows how to use these lookup tools.
These tools help Bend residents access records held by state agencies in addition to local police records.
Bend Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases from Bend go to the Deschutes County Circuit Court. You can search these records through the Oregon Judicial Case Information Network. The system covers all Oregon courts. Search by name to find cases that started with Bend police work.
Police records and court records are separate. Bend police records document what officers did and found. Court records show the legal proceedings that followed. Both types are public records, but you get them from different places. Police records come from the Bend Police Department. Court records come from the Deschutes County Circuit Court clerk.
Oregon's legal framework for police records access is grounded in state statute. The reference below covers the legal authority behind public records law.
This legal authority applies equally to the Bend Police Department and all other public bodies in Oregon.
Note: If Bend denies your records request, you can appeal to the Deschutes County District Attorney or petition the circuit court for review.
Bend Property and Evidence
The Bend Police Department operates a Property and Evidence Unit. This unit safeguards property taken into police custody. It processes evidence collected during investigations. Staff coordinate with detectives on active cases to ensure evidence is properly maintained.
If your property is held by Bend police, you may be able to get it back once the case is resolved. Contact the Property and Evidence Unit through the main department number at 541-322-2960. They can tell you the status of your property and what steps are needed to claim it. Records related to property and evidence are part of the department's police records system.
Deschutes County Police Records
Bend is the largest city in Deschutes County. The county also includes Redmond, Sisters, and La Pine. The Deschutes County Sheriff provides law enforcement for areas outside city limits. For a broader look at police records resources across the county, visit the Deschutes County page.