PUBLIC DISCLOSURE REQUESTS
The Seattle Police Department (SPD) is committed to responding to all requests for identifiable public records in a timely manner.
MAKE A PUBLIC DISCLOSURE REQUEST
To obtain a copy of a SPD report, manual, or other document, please use the following procedures.
Download the Records Request form: Records Request Form (PDF 
)
Send a completed Records Request Form to:
Public Request Unit
Seattle Police Department
Attn: Public Request Unit
PO Box 34986
Seattle, WA 98124-4986
Telephone: 206-684-5454
Fax : 206-684-5240
or email the completed form to: spdpdr@seattle.gov
You may make a walk-in request at Seattle Police Headquarters Public Request Unit, during business hours.
You will receive a response within five business days.
INFORMATION ALREADY AVAILABLE ONLINE
Before you make a public disclosure request, we encourage you to review our website to see if the information you want is already publicly available. The following information is available online:
Department Publications
Includes annual statistical reports, SPD Policy Manuals, and other policy documents.
Crime Statistics and Online Crime Maps
List the most recent citywide and precinct crime statistics.
Online General Offense Reports
Recent Burglaries, Robberies, Aggravated Assaults and Homicides are available online in PDF format.
Statewide Sex Offender Database
Sex Offenders in the City of Seattle and regionally are available here.
COST FOR PUBLIC RECORDS
There is no fee for inspecting public records.
- Black and white copies - $.15 per page after the first 20 pages.
- Mailing - actual cost of postage and shipping container
- Other media – such as disks, audiotape, photographs or videotapes, will incur the actual cost of the media.
For large requests, SPD may:
- Require a deposit of up to ten percent of the estimated cost before making copies
- Provide copies in installments
- Require advance payment before providing further installments
Payments by cash, check or money order payable to the “City of Seattle”. SPD does not accept credit cards.
RESPONSE FOR REQUESTS
Within five business days of receipt of the request, the Public Request Unit will do one of the following:
- Make the records available for inspection or copying.
- Provide a reasonable estimate when records will be available.
- Contact requestor to request clarification.
- Deny the request citing the reason for denial.
Once the records have been collected, we will notify you of any copying charges. Any records or portion of records that are exempt from disclosure will be withheld or redacted. We will specify the exemption that applies to any documents withheld or redactions made.
If the requestor does not receive a response, he or she should contact the Public Request Unit to determine the reason.
Common exemptions: See RCW 42.56
Seattle Police Department will NOT disclose lists of individuals for commercial purposes.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
If a requestor has not reviewed or claimed records within thirty days of notice that the records are available or fails to make payment, Seattle Police Department may close the request.
If requested records contain information that may affect rights of others, before providing the records SPD may give notice and allow time for action by other parties.
APPEAL PROCESS
You may file a written appeal with the Chief of Police within ten (10) business days from the date of the response from the Public Request Unit. Please include your name and address and a copy of the letter you received together with a brief statement identifying the basis of the appeal. You can mail or deliver your appeal to:
Chief of Police
Seattle Police Department
PO Box 34986
Seattle, WA 98124-4986
