Sheriff's Office

The Benton County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services, public safety programs, records support, civil services, and community assistance for residents, workers, and visitors throughout Benton County. This article explains the Sheriff's Office structure, available services, office locations, reporting options, records procedures, civil division responsibilities, and other practical information to help residents contact the correct division and complete common requests.

Sheriff's Office Overview

The Benton County Sheriff's Office is responsible for safeguarding life and property, preserving peace, preventing and detecting crime, enforcing the law, and protecting the rights of citizens. The office works with the community to identify and resolve public safety concerns.

The Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services throughout Benton County and also provides basic law enforcement services to Benton City and the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. The agency includes several divisions that handle patrol response, investigations, civil processes, records, administrative functions, and community programs.

Office Leadership

The Sheriff's Office is led by Sheriff Mike Clark. The department includes command staff responsible for different areas of operation, including law enforcement, investigations, support services, and public information.

The Law Enforcement Bureau oversees major operational divisions, including Patrol, Detective, Civil, and Records divisions. These divisions work together to provide public safety services and handle requests from residents, courts, and other agencies.

Office Locations and Hours

The main Sheriff's Office is located at the Benton County Justice Center in Kennewick. The office provides services for administrative matters, records-related requests, and other Sheriff's Office business.

The Sheriff's Office also maintains a business office in the Prosser courthouse for residents who need assistance at that location.

Kennewick Office Services

The Kennewick office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office is closed for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and is closed on weekends and holidays.

Prosser Office Services

The Prosser office is open Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The office is closed for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m., and it is closed on weekends and holidays.

Law Enforcement Bureau

The Sheriff's Office Law Enforcement Bureau includes commissioned deputies and non-commissioned employees who support county law enforcement operations. The bureau consists of four primary divisions: Patrol, Detective, Civil, and Records.

The bureau handles daily public safety operations, investigations, court-related services, and records processing. Different divisions have specific responsibilities, so contacting the correct unit can help residents receive faster assistance.

Patrol Division Services

The Patrol Division provides the initial response to calls for service received by the Sheriff's Office. Deputies conduct preliminary investigations, enforce traffic laws, investigate traffic collisions, and respond to emergencies throughout the Sheriff's Office jurisdiction.

The Patrol Division provides 24-hour coverage for areas under Benton County Sheriff's Office jurisdiction. Deputies also assist with natural and human-caused disasters in coordination with other law enforcement and emergency response agencies.

Special Patrol Programs

The Patrol Division supports several specialized services, including:

South County Patrol for agricultural areas and remote parts of Benton County.
K-9 Patrol resources with certified canine teams.
SWAT resources through a regional response team.
Traffic specialists who handle enforcement and accident investigations.
Marine Patrol services on navigable waterways within the Sheriff's Office jurisdiction.
School Resource Officers assigned to Kiona-Benton High School and Riverview High School.

Online Police Reports

The Sheriff's Office provides an Online Reporting Portal for certain non-emergency incidents. Residents should call 911 for emergencies requiring immediate police response.

Online reporting is available only when specific conditions are met. The incident must not be an emergency, must have occurred within unincorporated Benton County or Benton City limits, and must not have occurred on a highway. There must be no known suspects, no available evidence, and no firearm involved. A valid email address is required.

Report Types Available

Eligible online reports may include certain incidents such as:

Fraud other than stolen identity.
Graffiti.
Harassing phone calls.
Hit and run incidents.
ID theft.
Lost property.
Mail theft.
Malicious mischief.
Minor theft incidents.
Theft from vehicles.
Vehicle prowls.

After submitting an online report, users receive a temporary confirmation number. This number is not the permanent case number. Reports are reviewed before approval, and an approved report receives a permanent case number and a copy by email.

Detective Division Duties

The Detective Division investigates major crimes, including burglary, arson, assault, robbery, rape, kidnapping, and homicide. Detectives may also conduct internal investigations involving Sheriff's Office personnel when appropriate.

The division includes detectives and evidence support staff who handle specialized investigations and related assignments.

Investigation Programs

Detective Division responsibilities include:

Major crime investigations.
Crime prevention programs.
Sex offender registration responsibilities.
Warrant investigations.
Specialized investigative assignments.

Civil Division Services

The Sheriff's Office Civil Division processes and serves court documents throughout Benton County. The division handles documents including small claims paperwork, child custody documents, parentage matters, summons and complaints, subpoenas, domestic violence protection orders, court orders for evictions, and orders involving real or personal property sales.

Residents requesting civil paper service must provide the required court paperwork, a completed Civil Service Information Sheet, and the required service deposit. Deposits vary depending on the type of document being served.

Civil Service Requests

The Civil Division also processes returns to court and handles paperwork related to sheriff's sales, writs of attachment, and replevins. For eviction-related requests, additional forms and deposits are required.

Records Division Assistance

The Records Division provides public assistance with Sheriff's Office records and related administrative services. Records staff support report processing, public disclosure requests, concealed pistol license applications, visa letters, and informational materials.

The Records Division processes investigative reports from the Patrol Division and provides support to courts, prosecutors, other law enforcement agencies, and government entities.

Evidence Property Requests

The Sheriff's Office evidence unit stores and manages property and evidence collected during deputy activities. Property is released by appointment only. Correspondence regarding evidence should include the incident or case number.

Public Records Requests

Requests for Sheriff's Office public records can be submitted through the Benton County Sheriff Public Records Portal. Residents may also use the county public records request process for inspection or copying of eligible public records.

Public records requests should be directed through the appropriate county process and should include enough information for staff to identify the requested records.

Concealed Pistol Licenses

The Sheriff's Office provides concealed pistol license application services and fingerprinting by appointment. Applications may be completed online when using debit or credit card payment.

Applicants must schedule appointments for fingerprinting when required. Government-issued photo identification is required for fingerprinting services.

Application Requirements

Applicants may apply when they meet requirements including:

Being 21 years of age or older.
Living within Benton County limits.
Meeting required eligibility standards.

Community Programs

The Sheriff's Office supports community outreach activities and volunteer programs. The Community Information page provides information about Sheriff's Office community efforts.

The Benton Franklin Sheriff Posse is a volunteer program created with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. Volunteers may assist with activities such as search and rescue, community events, and neighborhood watch patrols.

Annual Reports

The Sheriff's Office publishes annual reports as a reference for yearly activities and service measurements. These reports provide a review of agency activity and comparisons of reported measurements.

Residents can review annual reports through the Sheriff's Office website for information about department operations and yearly performance information.

Relevant Offices

Benton County Sheriff's Office — 7122 W. Okanogan Place, Suite A120, Kennewick WA 99336 — 509-735-6555

Law Enforcement Bureau — 7122 W Okanogan Place Ste A120, Kennewick, WA 99337 — (509) 735-6555

Prosser Sheriff's Office — 620 Market Street, Prosser, Washington 99350 — 509-786-5710

Civil Division Benton County Sheriff’s Office — 7122 W Okanogan Pl, #A120 Kennewick, WA 99336 — 509-735-6555

Sheriff's Office FAQs

How can I file an online police report?

The Benton County Sheriff's Office Online Reporting Portal can be used for certain non-emergency incidents. Before submitting a report, make sure the incident occurred within unincorporated Benton County or Benton City limits, did not happen on a highway, has no known suspects or available evidence, does not involve a firearm, and includes a valid email address. Emergency situations requiring immediate response should be reported through 911. Visit the Benton County Sheriff's Office Online Reporting Portal for eligible report types and filing steps.

Where can I request Sheriff's Office records?

Public records requests, including requests for eligible Sheriff's Office records, can be submitted through the Benton County Sheriff Public Records Portal. The Records Division also handles public disclosure requests, report processing, concealed pistol license applications, visa letters, and related public information services. Requests should include enough details for staff to identify the records being requested. More information is available through the Benton County Sheriff Public Records Requests page.

What paperwork can the Civil Division serve?

The Civil Division processes and serves many types of court documents throughout Benton County. Requests may involve small claims documents, child custody paperwork, parentage matters, summons and complaints, subpoenas, domestic violence protection orders, eviction-related court orders, and orders involving the sale of real or personal property. A completed Civil Service Information Sheet, court paperwork, and required service deposit are needed when requesting service. Details are available on the Sheriff's Office Civil Division page.

How do I apply for a concealed pistol license?

Concealed pistol license applications may be completed online with debit or credit card payment. Applicants who need fingerprinting must schedule an appointment and bring government-issued photo identification. Eligibility requirements include being at least 21 years old, living within Benton County limits, and meeting applicable legal requirements. The concealed pistol license information page provides current application instructions.