Camas Arrest Records Search
Camas arrest records are held by the Camas Police Department and released under Washington's Public Records Act, RCW 42.56. Camas is a city in Clark County along the Columbia River, home to around 30,000 residents. The police department handles its own records requests separately from the city clerk's office. Both offices follow the same five-business-day response requirement under state law. You can request records online, by phone, or in person at either location.
Camas Overview
Camas Police Department Records
The Camas Police Department handles 9-1-1 response, non-emergency calls, investigations, parking enforcement, and code enforcement within the city. The department is located at 2100 NE 3rd Avenue, Camas, WA 98607. The main line is 360-834-4151. This number also reaches the records division.
Police records in Camas include incident reports, arrest logs, case reports, and supplemental documents generated by officers during investigations. Records of collision reports are also held by the department. To get any of these, you file a public records request through the police records system rather than through the city clerk.
The department values excellence, professionalism, and officer wellness. Those priorities shape how the department handles public contact, including records requests. Staff take public disclosure obligations seriously and work to fulfill requests within the required window.
How to Request Camas Police Records
The Camas police records request page explains the process step by step. Once you submit a request, the department has five business days to respond. That response may be the records themselves, a notice with a timeline for more complex requests, a request for clarification, or a formal denial.
If records are ready and a fee applies, the department will send them along with an invoice. Payment is due before or at pickup for in-person requests. The department allows inspection of records during normal business hours, excluding holidays. If you just want to look at a record without getting a copy, you can do that at the department without paying per-page fees.
Call 360-834-4151 to reach the records division directly. Staff can tell you what information you need to include in your request and give you a rough idea of whether the records you want are likely to be available or exempt.
| Police Address | 2100 NE 3rd Avenue, Camas, WA 98607 |
|---|---|
| Records Phone | 360-834-4151 |
| Response Window | 5 business days |
| Inspection | Normal business hours, excluding holidays |
| Request Methods | Online, phone, in person |
Camas Public Records Index
The city of Camas also runs a public records index through the City Clerk's office. The Camas public records index gives you four ways to access city records: browse the index, use the search portal, submit an online form, or visit City Hall in person. City Hall is at 616 NE 4th Avenue, Camas, WA 98607. The clerk's line is 360-817-1591.
The clerk's office handles administrative and city government records. Police arrest records and incident reports are not typically in the city clerk's index. Those go through the police department's own records system. But for records related to city ordinances, code enforcement, permits, or city council actions, the clerk's index is the right place to look.
If you request a police record through the city clerk by mistake, staff will redirect you to the police department. The two systems operate separately but follow the same RCW 42.56 rules for timelines and exemptions.
Clark County Jail and Court Records
Arrests in Camas on felony charges go to Clark County Superior Court. Misdemeanor cases may be filed in Camas Municipal Court or Clark County District Court. All of these courts produce public case records. You can search by name or case number through the Washington Courts case search. Results include the charges, court dates, and outcomes.
Booking records from the Clark County Jail show the name, date of booking, and cause of arrest for any person held there. Those three items are always public under RCW 70.48.100. The Clark County Jail roster can be checked directly with the county or through VINELink, which also sends release notifications for free.
Under RCW 10.97.050, conviction records from Washington courts are shareable with the public. Non-conviction records, such as charges that were dropped or cases that ended in acquittal, are restricted. You can view those at the court but cannot obtain copies in most cases. If you want a record sealed or vacated, that requires a court petition.
For statewide criminal history checks, the Washington State Patrol runs the WATCH program. The fee is $11 per name check. Results are statewide and cover all conviction records across Washington courts and agencies. Local Camas records are a subset of what WATCH covers.
Note: A Camas arrest record shows that a person was arrested. It is not evidence of guilt or conviction for any offense.
What a Camas Police Incident Report Includes
A standard Camas Police incident report covers the basics: date, time, and location of the incident, the type of alleged offense, names and contact information for involved parties, and a narrative from the officer who responded. Supplemental materials may include photos, evidence logs, witness statements, and notes from follow-up investigators. What is released depends on which exemptions under RCW 42.56 apply to that specific record.
Active investigation records are commonly withheld until the case is closed. Victim identities in sensitive cases like sexual assault are protected by statute. Juvenile names and records are restricted under state law. If any part of a record is withheld, the department must tell you what was removed and cite the legal exemption. You can ask for a written index of withheld materials if you want to know exactly what is missing.
There is an important difference between an arrest record and a conviction record. An arrest in Camas means officers took someone into custody. It does not mean that person was charged, tried, or found guilty. Under RCW 10.97.050, conviction records are available to the public for copying and distribution. Non-conviction records, where charges were never filed or were dismissed, have tighter restrictions. You can often inspect those at the court but cannot always get a copy to take with you.
Body-worn camera footage is also treated differently from paper records. Redaction is required before video is released, and Camas Police charges a fee for that work. If you are requesting body-worn camera footage, ask the department for a cost estimate before the work starts. People directly involved in the footage may qualify for a fee waiver. Ask the records staff whether the exemption at RCW 42.56.240(14)(e) applies to your situation.
Using WATCH and Other Tools for Clark County Records
Camas Police records only cover incidents that happened inside city limits. If you need a broader picture of someone's criminal history in Washington, the Washington State Patrol runs the WATCH program at watch.wsp.wa.gov. Each name-based search costs $11 and covers conviction records from courts across the entire state. Results come back quickly through the online portal. WATCH does not show non-conviction data, juvenile records, or anything sealed by a court.
The free Washington Courts case search lets you look up cases filed in Clark County. Misdemeanor Camas arrests typically end up in Camas Municipal Court or Clark County District Court. Felony charges go to Clark County Superior Court. The case search shows filed charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes without needing to file a public records request. Search by name or case number at dw.courts.wa.gov.
For current custody information on someone held at the Clark County Jail, VINELink is free and covers Clark County facilities. You can check custody status without creating an account. Register for free automated alerts if you want to be notified when a person is released or transferred. The Clark County Jail also publishes booking information including name, date, and charge under RCW 70.48.100, which makes those three items always available to the public without a formal request.
Clark County Arrest Records
Camas is in Clark County. All felony filings and county jail records go through Clark County. Visit the county page for additional resources.
Nearby Cities
Vancouver is the largest nearby city in Clark County and maintains its own public arrest records through the Vancouver Police Department.