FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What are the regular business hours of the Olympia Police Department?
2. How do I get a copy of a police report?
3. When (and how) do I report a traffic accident that wasn't investigated by a police officer?
4. How do I get a copy of the report when a traffic accident was investigated by an OPD officer?
5. Where can I pay a parking ticket?
6. If I have information about a crime how can I share it with the police?
7. What are the visiting hours at the jail?
8. How do I get fingerprinted?
9. How can I deliver a compliment or make a complaint?
10. How do I register a bicycle?
11. How do I apply for or renew a concealed pistol license?
12. How do I register my home or business security alarm?
13. How do I get criminal history information?
14. How can I find out about crime in my neighborhood?
15. Does the Police Department have volunteer opportunities?
16. How do I get a vehicle inspection?
17. What are the business phone numbers for other local law enforcement agencies?
18. What do I do if I believe I’ve been the victim of a fraud, identity theft or bad check?
19. How do I report an abandoned vehicle?
20. What should I do if I think there is a warrant for my arrest?
What are the regular business hours of the Olympia Police Department?
The customer service desk located in the main station at 900 Plum Street SE is open Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. The customer service desk is closed on State and Federal holidays. The phone number to the customer service desk is 360-753-8300.
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How do I get a copy of a police report?
Generally, police reports are public records and anyone in the public may request a copy. There are some notable exceptions, however, as well as situations where only parts of reports are available to the public. For example, a victim of a crime can request confidentiality, which prevents the person’s name or anything that would serve to identify him/her from being released to the public. Reports that are part of an on-going investigation are not releasable until the case they relate to is completed. Accident reports and cases involving juveniles also have special rules that apply to their dissemination.
If you want a copy of an OPD police report, you will need to appear in person at the OPD customer service desk during regular business hours and complete a records request form. Be sure to bring a photo ID with you. Try to have as much information as possible about the report you are requesting, such as: the case number, date, time, address where the incident took place, names of people involved, or any other information that could help identify the report you’re seeking. The cost for copies is $0.15 per page, payable at the time of pick-up.
Many records requests are filled the same day that you submit your request form. However, you should be prepared to allow up to five (5) business days to receive your material. In some instances (such as very complex cases involving multiple reports or cases that are old enough to have been archived), requests can take even longer. In those cases, you will be notified, in writing, of the fact that your request will take longer than five days to complete, and you will be given a target date for when you should expect the material.
If you need further information or have questions, please call 360-753-8300.
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When (and how) do I report a traffic accident that wasn't investigated by a police officer?
State law requires that the owner of a vehicle involved in a traffic accident where anyone is injured (including one's self) or where any person's property is damaged in the amount of $700 or more must report the accident to the Washington State Patrol (WSP). In certain circumstances, traffic accidents are not investigated by a police officer. When that is the case, you are required to complete the form yourself (if you are the owner of the vehicle involved) and mail it to WSP.
You can get a State of Washington Vehicle Collision Report form on line, by visting the WSP web site. The web site provides you with a printable copy of the form and detailed instructions on how to complete it. If you prefer, you can also get a paper copy of the form from the OPD customer service desk during business hours; in the vestibule at the entrance to OPD (24 hours); or from the service desks of most other Washington police departments during their business hours.
You should make a copy of your completed report and mail it to your insurance company as proof of reporting, if you are expecting your insurance to cover any expenses related to the accident.
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How do I get a copy of the report when a traffic accident was investigated by an OPD officer?
If you are involved in a traffic accident where an officer did an investigation, you may obtain a copy of the officer's report using the police report request process. With accident reports, allow approximately 48 hours for the report and any necessary follow-up to be completed. For your convenience, you can phone OPD at 360-753-8300 prior to coming in to ensure availability of the report.
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Where can I pay a parking ticket?
The Olympia Police Department does not manage parking enforcement. The City’s Public Works Department does that task. The Public Works Parking Enforcement office is located at 117 Legion Way, and the phone number is 360-753-8017. Parking ticket payments may be made at their office or may be dropped of at any of several courtesy boxes located around the City. The courtesy boxes are located at the following locations: 4th Avenue by Bayview Market; 4th Avenue between Quince and Eastside Streets; Capitol Way in front of the Evergreen Plaza building; the parking lot at 4th and Columbia behind the Olympia Federal Bank; in the parking lot on the north side of City Hall on 8th Avenue; and in the lobby of the Olympia Police Department. Payments may also be mailed to Parking Enforcement, PO Box 1967, Olympia, WA 98507. Checks for parking fines should be made payable to the City of Olympia.
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If I have information about a crime how can I share it with the police?
If you have information about a crime you can share it with the police in one of the following ways:
9-1-1 (If your information is about a crime that is in progress and immediate police attention is required)*
704-2740 (If your information is about a crime that occurred within the last hour or two, but where emergency police response is not required)*
753-8300 (If your information is about a crime that occurred more than an hour or two in the past)
493-2222 (If you wish to provide your information anonymously thorugh Thurston County Crime Stoppers)
*Calling 9-1-1 or 704-2740 connects you to the County's central dispatch center (CAPCOM), not directly to the Olympia Police Department. CAPCOM is a separate agency from the Olympia Police Department, but it is the official provider of emergency communications service for OPD and all of the other police, fire and public medic services in Thurston County.
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What are the visiting hours at the jail?
For Jail visiting information, please call the Olympia City Jail at 360-753-8417. For information regarding Olympia inmates held in the Benton County Jail facility, please call 509-783-1451. For information regarding inmates held in the Thurston County Jail, please call 360-786-5510.
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How do I get fingerprinted?
Fingerprinting is done by appointment. If you need your fingerprints taken for license, business or employment purposes, please call the customer service desk at 753-8300 to schedule a time to be printed. There is a $15 charge unless the party requesting the fingerprints has a contract on file with the City of Olympia.
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How can I deliver a compliment or make a complaint?
The Department welcomes feedback from the public on how the Department and its employees are doing. Compliments really mean a lot to our staff and they reinforce performance the public values. No one likes complaints, of course, but honest ones always help make us better.
You can deliver a compliment or make a formal complaint by completing one of the City's comment forms. You can also deliver a compliment or initiate a complaint by writing a letter to the Department marked to the attention of the Professional Standards Office, or by coming to the service desk at the Main Station during regular business hours.
For some people, filing a complaint about a police officer can be an intimidating experience. Because knowing about legitimate service, behavior and performance issues is extremely important to us, there are a number of alternatives available for filing such a complaint, and we have policies in place that assure that making a complaint can be done without fear of discrimination or retaliation. In filing a complaint about an officer, you have several options besides the standard methods mentioned in the previous paragraph: 1) you can file a complaint directly with the Chief of Police or the Professional Standards Lieutenant by mail or by telephone (753-8410); 2) you can file a complaint through the City Manager's Office; or, 3) you can file a complaint through the City Attorney's Office. (For instructions on how to lodge a complaint through the City Manager or City Attorney, call 753-8325.)
Department policy requires staff to "courteously and promptly facilitate any complaint made by a citizen involving the Department or any member of the Department." It goes on to require that "no member shall engage in behavior which he/she knows, or reasonably should know, serves to retaliate against any person for being a party to a complaint against the Department or a member of the Department." (OPD General Order 26.1.1.III.F)
Citizens who make complaints or who provide testimony in complaint investigations are also afforded certain considerations, by Department policy (See General Order 52.1.19). These considerations are in place to assure that those involved in complaints are well informed about the process and are treated with courtesy and respect.
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How do I register a bicycle?
Residents of the City of Olympia may register bicycles at the customer service desk during regular business hours. There is no fee for this service. You must bring your bicycle when registering. Call 360-753-8300 for more information.
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How do I apply for or renew a concealed pistol license?
Concealed pistol licenses are issued at the customer service desk during business hours. OPD issues concealed pistol licenses only to persons with permanent residence addresses (street addresses, not P.O. boxes) in the City of Olympia. The initial permit fee is $60; the annual renewal fee is $32; a late renewal is $42; and a replacement license is $10. When applying for a concealed pistol license, always anticipate several days in processing time. For more information call 360-753-8300.
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How do I register my home or business security alarm?
You cannot register your security alarm directly. Contact your alarm monitoring company and they will register your alarm for you and bill you annually for the required fee. See the “Security Alarm Program” section of our web pages for all the details.
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How do I get criminal history information?
Criminal history information is available through the Washington State Patrol. For more information call 360-705-5100.
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How can I find out about crime in my neighborhood?
Neighborhood crime information requests can be made in writing, in person at our Main Station or by calling (360)570-3737. To initiate a request, you will need to provide your contact information and a specific street address within the Olympia city limits. A standard report consists of crime statistics for a 1/4 mile area surrounding the address provided for the 12 months prior to the request date. You may be contacted by an OPD representative to confirm your request. You can expect a reply within 10 working days.
For incidents that happened within the past week, you can also check the Daily Activity Summary.
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Does the Police Department have volunteer opportunities?
OPD coordinates a number of volunteer-based programs designed for citizens who want to participate in activities that contribute to community safety. Contact the Community Programs Unit at 360-753-8049 for information on how to become an OPD volunteer.
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How do I get a vehicle inspection?
Vehicle inspections are conducted by the Washington State Patrol. Inspections are only required on home-made trailers, insurance total losses and wrecking yard salvages. Inspections are conducted at stations in Tacoma (253-536-4330) and Chehalis (360- 748-2194).
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What are the business phone numbers for other local law enforcement agencies?
Tumwater Police Department: 360-754-4200
Lacey Police Department: 360-459-4333
Thurston County Sheriff’s Office: 360-786-5500
Washington State Patrol (Records): 360-586-1999
The Evergreen State College Police Department: 360-867-6140
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What do I do if I believe I’ve been the victim of a fraud, identity theft or bad check?
Report the situation to police without delay by calling 911 or the non-emergency dispatch number: 360-704-2740. If you are a business and have received a fraudulent check that is written for $250 or more, contact us by calling 360-753-8300 or 360-704-2740.
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How do I report an abandoned vehicle?
To report an abandoned vehicle that is on private property, call the City of Olympia Code Enforcement office at 360-753-8487, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM. To report an abandoned vehicle on public property, call the OPD customer service desk at 360-753-8300 during regular business hours. Reports called in to OPD will be forwarded to a Police Cadets for investigation and disposition. If the abandoned vehicle is presenting a safety hazard – such as blocking intersections or obscuring a street sign – please call central dispatch (CAPCOM) at 360-704-2740, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
When reporting an abandoned vehicle, be aware that the abatement process for vehicles that are not presenting a safety hazard takes time. By law, the legal owner must be given a reasonable opportunity to move the vehicle before it can be towed. This involves posting a notice on the vehicle, making attempts to contact the owner and allowing a prescribed time period to pass before ordering the vehicle towed and impounded.
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What should I do if I think there is a warrant for my arrest?
A person wanted on an Olympia Municipal Court misdemeanor warrant may voluntarily surrender himself/herself to the Olympia City Jail Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. For more information on warrants, call the Warrants Office at 360-753-8729.
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Photo credit: K.C. Carpenter
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