Community Resources

Helpful resources from the Bend Police Department, including tools, forms, and guidance to report incidents, learn about local regulations, and connect with community support.

Navy colored shirts hanging up with a Bend Police patch showing on the shoulder.

File a Police Report

Online reporting is available for non-emergency situations where no immediate danger is present, and an officer’s physical response isn’t required. For emergencies or active crimes, please dial 911 right away.

Connect Bend Camera Registry

Connect Bend Camera Registry lets people register their security cameras, so police can quickly ask for video if a crime happens nearby, without accessing live footage.

Community Questions

Bend Police are not trained or instructed to ask for a person’s legal residency status or immigration status. We are trained to treat all individuals with respect, fairness, and dignity. The immigration status of people is not a matter for police action. The Bend Police Department does not participate in immigration investigation or enforcement activities. Reference Policy 413.

La Policía de Bend no están entrenados e instruidos para inquirir sobre el estatus de residencia legal o el estatus migratorio. Estamos entrenados a tratar a cada persona con respeto, justicia y dignidad. El estatus migratorio de una persona no es una razón para acción de policía. El Departamento de Policía de Bend no participa en las investigaciones de inmigración o las actividades de la aplicación de la ley de inmigración. Puede leer la política 413 entera aquí.

The City of Bend often receives requests for a police patch. We would like to provide a patch to all collectors; however, our policy only permits us to send them to current or retired law enforcement employees. If you qualify, please complete a Police Patch Request.

The City of Bend Police Department responds only to alarms that are either priority alarms or verified alarms. This helps officers focus on alarms that are more likely to be real emergencies. 

Priority Alarms 

Police respond to certain alarms right away, even if no one has confirmed a crime is happening. These include: 

  • Holdup, panic, domestic violence, or duress alarms (a duress alarm is a secret signal someone sends when they’re in danger).
  • Alarms at public schools or government buildings.
  • Alarms at police stations or jails.
  • Alarms at businesses that sell or store many guns.
  • Alarms at places like pharmacies that store prescription drugs.
  • Alarms at places considered valid security threats based on reliable information. In these cases, the alarm company must tell the police why the location is considered a priority. 

Verified Alarms 

Police also respond to alarms that someone has confirmed are likely caused by a crime. This can include: 

  • A person at the location sees something suspicious.
  • A live video shows someone breaking in.
  • Audio equipment picks up sounds of someone entering without permission.
  • A neighbor sees something suspicious and calls it in.
  • The alarm goes off along with other signs like motion or glass breaking, and no one at the location can be reached. 

If none of these things happen, the police won’t respond unless the alarm is verified. 

What Happens When Police Respond 

If police go to an alarm and no one is there to let them in, they’ll wait up to 20 minutes. If no one shows up, they’ll leave and come back only if they’re called again. 

Once police finish checking the location, it’s up to the owner or the alarm company to make sure the building is secure. If no one is available, the police might hire someone to secure it, and the owner will have to pay for that. 

If the alarm turns out to be false, the City of Bend may charge the owner a fee based on city rules.

Yes. You can begin the process to request a ride-along by filling out a waiver and other forms.

Yes. You can contact communityrelations@bendoregon.gov to request a tour.

No, the Bend Police Department does not offer these services to the public.

The Bend Police Department does not operate a jail. The Deschutes County Jail is located at 63333 Highway 20, and can be reached by calling 541-388-6661. View the current inmate list.

If your vehicle was impounded, you can obtain a vehicle release at the Bend Police Department, located at 555 NE 15th St., Bend, OR 97703, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday (except holidays). You’ll have to present satisfactory proof of ownership or right to possess the vehicle, proof of insurance, proof that a person with valid driving privileges will be operating the vehicle, and a fee of $150. Additional towing and storage fees will have to be paid to the towing company directly.

Animal Control

The Bend Police Department helps with animal-related issues, but it doesn’t have a separate Animal Control Division. During emergencies, they may not respond to animal calls. Check the sections below for more details.

Animal Neglect / Abuse

Oregon law says that pets like cats and dogs must be given proper medical care, food, water, and shelter to keep them healthy.

If you see someone hurting or not caring for an animal, call 541-693-6911. If it’s an emergency, call 911. Try to give as many details as you can.

Deer / Wildlife / Cougar Sightings

Wild animals, including cougars, are the responsibility of the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. The Bend Police Department will help with wildlife emergencies that could be dangerous, like a cougar in a neighborhood or a deer hit by a car and unable to walk or stuck in a fence.

Dog Bites

If a dog bites someone or attacks without being provoked, or if it’s running loose, report it right away to the Bend Police Department at 541-693-6911.

Dog Licensing

Oregon law and Bend City Code state that all dogs must be licensed by Deschutes County. This applies to dogs that are at least 6 months old or have adult teeth. Dogs must wear their license tag. Licensing and vaccinating your dog helps stop the spread of rabies and makes it easier to return your dog if it gets lost.

Even if your dog has its rabies tag, it isn’t the same thing as a Deschutes County dog license. A rabies tag shows your dog got its shot, but it’s different from a license. You need both. Call (541) 388-6637 for more info.

Dogs at Large

Dogs must be on a leash in Bend unless they’re in an approved Bend Parks & Recreation dog park or on private property with permission. Dogs found loose without an owner may be taken to the Humane Society of Central Oregon (61170 SE 27th Street), Monday–Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed on holidays). If you find a stray dog and can’t take it there, call 541-693-6911 to ask for a pickup. Police may not always be able to help right away if they’re busy with other calls.

Release Fees

To get your pet back from the Bend Police Department, go to 555 NE 15th St., Bend, OR, 97703, and bring a $50 release fee (you can pay with cash, debit, or credit card)

For more information about animal-related city rules, see Chapter 5.20 of the City Code.

Animal Control Frequently Asked Questions

Check the Human Society of Central Oregon’s Lost Pets page or give them a call at 541-382-3537.

It’s not against the law to leave a dog in a car unless it puts the dog in imminent danger of death or serious injury. Panting is normal when dogs are hot. If you think a dog is truly in danger, report it to nonemergency dispatch at 541-693-6911.

  • Don’t touch or move it. Keep kids and pets away. Call non-emergency dispatch to report it.
  • If a person touches a bat that might have rabies, call Deschutes County Public Health at (541) 322-7400 and get medical help right away.
  • If a pet touches a bat that might have rabies, call your vet immediately.

For more info about rabies, visit the Oregon Public Health Department website. 

Try contacting the officer who left the notice. The officer was following up on a call, likely from someone in your neighborhood, about your dog “disturbing the peace.”  If you fail to correct the situation, you might get a ticket.

Victim Resources

If someone has committed a crime against you, you have rights. Learn more:

Information on Bias Crimes and Bias Incidents in Oregon

Bias Crimes and Bias Incidents Frequently Asked Questions

A bias incident is a hostile expression that may be motivated by another person’s actual or perceived protected class (race, color, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity).

A bias crime is a crime motivated in part or whole by bias against another person’s actual or perceived protected class (race, color, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity).

Want to learn more? The Oregon Department of Justice has a helpful guide on the subject.  

Bias crimes and incidents affect entire communities and can make individuals and entire sections of a population feel unwelcome or unsafe in their community. Bias crimes and incidents are traumatic for those who experience or witness them and create division and tension among the community. Correctly identifying bias incidents, documenting them in reports, and handling the victims with sensitivity, compassion, and dignity, are essential steps to ensure that bias crimes do not go unreported or uninvestigated. Holding offenders accountable when they commit a bias crime also demonstrates to the victim, the offender, and the community that bias crimes will not be ignored or tolerated.

If you are a victim of a bias crime or bias incident, call 911 to report if there is an immediate danger or if the crime is in progress. If there is no immediate danger and the crime is not in progress, call the non-emergency line at 541-693-6911.

You can also report a bias crime or incident to the Oregon Department of Justice’s Hotline.  

The Oregon Department of Justice has resources for victims of bias crimes.

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