1. Choose the appropriate report type for the incident.
2. Fill out all required information, including relevant vehicles and/or property. You can even upload pictures.
3. The reporting system will email you a temporary tracking number upon submission.
4. Department staff review the report for completeness. You will receive an email with the official case number once the report is entered into the records management system. An officer will contact you directly if further investigation is required.
5. Save the report for your records or share it with your insurance provider. 

Tip: We want to resolve your incident as quickly as possible and the more details you can provide the better. Check out the section "What information should I include in the report?" and "What details are needed?" to learn how to create the best description so that we can successfully resolve your incident.

• Include as much relevant detail as possible: Your information helps us analyze local crime trends and return reclaimed stolen property.
  • Don't be embarrassed if, for example, your car was unlocked; we want to know how criminals behave in our city so we can develop information and strategies to prevent future crime.
• Specific crime details: We want to know exactly where, when and how it happened. Please include the exact address or closest possible address or intersection. Give us your best guess on the date and time range if you are not sure of when it happened.
• Enter all property individually: This will help us search recovered items - use the "Add Property" button on the Property tab. It may take a little longer, but if we find your property it will help us return it to you. 
• Unique marks or identifiers: Including this information will help your property stand out. Is there a scratch, sticker or dent we should look for? Any little detail can help.

Providing detailed information is critical to addressing crime trends and returning property as soon as possible.

Department staff review all police reports for completeness. We use various data points within cases to analyze current crime trends within the city. We encourage everyone to report all crimes so we not only have a better picture of how criminals behave in our community, but also to return reclaimed lost and stolen property.

Property: When property is recovered or turned in as found, we search local records of lost and stolen property in an attempt to find the rightful owner. If there is a close match, an officer will call potential owners to ask for more information. Unfortunately, we still end up with some property that remains unmatched. It is likely the property was never reported lost or stolen in Deschutes County, or the descriptions are too vague to match. Help us find your report by providing detailed descriptions - it may help to close your eyes and describe aloud. 

Tip: A "black wallet" is more difficult to match than a "black leather bi-fold wallet with internal money clip and 3 slots for cards" or a "black folding women's wallet with zippered coin pocket missing the pull tab, 2 cash slots and room for 8-12 cards."

Addresses: We map crimes to see how they distribute within the city and what areas may have more or less reports of a particular crime. We often combine this with data and time information to come up with a plan to prevent or interrupt crime. For example, we may look to see where bikes are stolen around the city and then increase directed patrols, place a bait bike or speak with potential victims to help them protect their property.

Tip: Accurate addresses help us focus resources; 555 NE 15th Street is much more helpful than "NE 15th Street," which is nearly 3.5 miles long and not mappable.

Date/Time: We perform time and day analysis to assist officers in knowing when crimes are occurring. Sometimes we can even identify series and trends that are predictable and work to eliminate them. We know it's often hard to know exactly when a crime occurred, so it's okay to use your best guess if you need to.

Tip: Think about when you last saw the missing or undamaged item and the first time you noticed it was damaged or missing.

Narrative: We often draw further details about crime that is not otherwise captured in data fields by reading through each narrative. We use Problem Oriented Policing (POP) methods to assess specific crime types and come up with solutions with the intent to stop crime before it happens.

Tip: Did you leave the car unlocked? Not really sure? We want to know--it helps us target current methods offenders are using to take advantage of others.

No, crimes outside of the City of Bend must be reported with the local law enforcement agency in that area. For other Deschutes County police agencies, please call non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911, or us a link below.

• Redmond Police Department - www.RedmondOregon.gov/ReportACrime
• Deschutes County Sheriff's Office - https://sheriff.deschutes.org/file-online-report/ 

If you or someone else knows the name or detailed location of the person(s) who committed the crime you are reporting, or know another clear identifier such as a license plate of an involved vehicle, there is a "known suspect." Please call non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911 to speak with an officer. Always call 911 for emergencies.

The City of Bend Police Department has a convenient kiosk available for public use in the lobby located at 555 NE 15th St in Bend. You may also check computer availability at your local library or use a mobile device with data service or wifi connection.