Requesting Sheriff's Office Records

Response to Records Requests

Within five business days of receipt of the request, the Records Division will do one of the following:

  • Make the records available for inspection or copying
  • Send copies to requestor
  • Provide a reasonable estimate when records will be available
  • Contact requestor to request clarification
  • Deny the request citing reason for denial

Records Exempt from Disclosure

The Public Records Act lists types of documents exempt from public inspection and copying. If only a portion of a record is exempt from disclosure, the Records Division will redact the exempt portions before providing the document.

Douglas County will not disclose lists of individuals for commercial purposes.

For a list of exempted records, please visit the Records Exemptions page.

Special Considerations

If a requestor has not reviewed or claimed records within thirty days of notice that records are available, the Records Division may close the request.

If requested records contain information that may affect rights of others, before providing the records, the Records Division may give notice and allow time for action by the other parties.

After a request has been filled, if the Records Division becomes aware of additional documents existing at the time of the request, these will be provided to the requestor on an expedited basis.

Requesting Review of Denials

A requestor may send a written petition to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office in order to have any disclosure denial reviewed. The Prosecuting Attorney's Office will consider petitions and affirm or reverse the denial within two business days following the receipt of the petition by that office.

To learn how to contact the Prosecuting Attorney's Office, visit the Prosecuting Attorney page.

Requesting Traffic Collision Reports

Click here if you are requesting a traffic collision report under the Public Records Act.

You may also obtain copies of collision reports directly from the Washington State Patrol.

  1. Costs