Reporting A Crime

Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency: (509) 332-2521

Use our online reporting tool to report graffiti, nuisance code violations, or other non-emergencies.

You may also visit the Pullman Police Department at 260 SE Kamiaken to make an in-person report. After using our phone room to provide information to dispatch, an officer will contact you in the station lobby, which is open and staffed 24/7.

Emergency Reporting : 911
Use this number in situations where immediate police, fire, or medical intervention is needed. This includes incidents like ongoing crimes, fires, or medical emergencies where every second counts.

When you call 911, a dispatcher will ask you describe your emergency, while they send the appropriate emergency services personnel. Be prepared to provide:

• Your location, including specific details such as room or apartment number
• A brief, but clear, description of what took/is taking place
• Any immediate needs or dangers (injuries, weapons, etc.)

• • You or someone else is in immediate danger
  • You witnessed a crime in progress
  • There is a serious risk to public safety

Non-Emergency Reporting: (509) 332-2521
This line is intended for incidents that require police attention, but which do not pose an immediate threat to life or property. Using the non-emergency number helps to keep 911 lines open for emergent needs.

The non-emergency line is staffed by operators trained to assess your situation and direct your call appropriately. Please provide them with as much information as possible, to help them understand and prioritize your report.

• • You need to report theft or property damage after-the-fact
  • You have information about suspicious or criminal activity that does not require immediate intervention or response
  • You need police assistance but there is no immediate danger

Pullman PD Business Line: (509) 334-0802
This line is ideal for general inquiries and administrative assistance. The business number should be used for non-urgent business matters only. A staff member will gladly assist you, or will direct you to the appropriate department or resource. 

• • You have a question about police reports or police procedures
  • You need to schedule an appointment with an officer or staff member
  • You have inquiries about community programs or services

In-Person Reporting: 260 SE Kamiaken Street
We welcome you to visit our police station to make an in-person report. Officers and staff are here to assist you with the reporting process, and to provide immediate guidance and support.

In-person reporting is available any time, day or night.

The Pullman Police Department recognizes that any unwanted sexual contact is sexual assault, which is a serious crime that has traumatic impacts on thousands of survivors each year. Victims often feel at fault, and may believe that they should/could have prevented the incident. These feelings may prevent survivors from coming forward, speaking up, or seeking support. Pullman PD prioritizes the safety, dignity, and healing of sexual assault survivors. We understand the profound impact of this crime, and we are committed to providing a respectful, responsive, and supportive environment for survivors. 

Sexual Assault Investigative Team

Our Sexual Assault Investigative Team (SAIT) works in tandem with patrol, specially trained medical staff, prosecutors, and community advocates, to provide high-quality, victim-centered investigations that acknowledge the impact of of trauma on those who experience sexual assault. 

At Pullman PD, we recognize that the decision to pursue legal action after sexual assault is deeply personal, and may be influenced by various factors. We understand that not every survivor will choose to engage with the criminal justice system, and we respect that decision. For those who do wish to come forward, we strive to create a safe and supportive environment. We encourage survivors to openly discuss their needs and concerns, knowing that our agency's primary concern is safety and recovery. SAIT team members can help survivors beyond investigative services, by providing safety planning, safety and mental health resources, answering questions, and helping survivors to determine the best path forward for their specific
circumstances.

Whether or not you decide to report the sexual assault or pursue legal action, our primary goal is to connect survivors with resources to support healing and recovery. Resources may include medical care, counseling services, victim advocacy, and more. Members of our community may access our services at any time, without the obligation to file a police report. Our team is here to support you.

We Start By Believing

The Pullman Police Department is committed to Start by Believing, which signifies the agency's pledge to believe and support survivors from the moment that they share their experiences, fostering an environment that encourages survivors to come forward, secure in their knowledge that they will be met with belief, respect, and action. 

Seek Then Speak

The Pullman Police Department offers the Seek Then Speak tool, an invaluable resource developed by End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI). This self-guided, confidential tool is designed to help survivors of sexual assault to understand and navigate their options at their own pace. Seek Then Speak reflects the agency's commitment to empowering survivors through autonomy over their journey to justice and healing. 

Seek Then Speak provides detailed information about sexual assault crime victims' rights, victim advocacy, medical care options, and the process of reporting to law enforcement. Confidential documentation allows survivors to document and gather critical information about their assault, which is crucial for any steps that they may pursue afterward. Seek Then Speak facilitates starting the formal reporting process by generating a detailed PDF account of the assault, which can be shared with law enforcement if and when the survivor is ready. 

Visit Seek Then Speak

The Reporting Process: What to Expect

Step 1: Get somewhere safe.

Step 2: Call 911, come to the Police Department, begin the Seek Then Speak process, or go directly to the Pullman Regional Hospital emergency room. Choose the option that works best for you.

Step 3: Pullman Police officers will meet with you privately to file a report. Know that we will protect your name to the extent allowable by law and policy.

Step 4: Officers will  treat your case with professionalism, sensitivity, dignity, understanding and courtesy as they work to investigate your case. We will keep you informed of what is happening as the case progresses. 

Things to Remember

The Pullman Police Department treats all cases and investigations with professionalism, sensitivity, and compassion - regardless of the age, race, gender or sexual orientation of the survivor or suspect.

While there may be statutes of limitations, it is never too late to report sexual assault, or to seek help.

Prompt reporting allows for the best chance of evidence collection, and may strengthen investigations for prosecution. Evidence is best if collected within 72 hours of assault.

It is important to preserve evidence, if possible.

• Do not: shower/bathe or wash your hands, comb your hair, brush your teeth, change/wash your clothes, eat/drink or use drugs or alcohol, use the toilet.
• If you are at the location where the crime occurred: do not clean up, move, or remove anything at the scene. 
• If you have already changed clothes or bedding, place the dirty items in a paper bag.
• Write down any details that you can recall about the assault and assailant. Details may include physical descriptors (height, weight, tattoos, eye color, or other distinguishable characteristics), clothing, smells, sounds, etc.

You are not alone. Help is available. 

Sexual Assault Nurse Exam (SANE)

A sexual assault exam is important following a sexual assault. This process helps to preserve vital evidence, and provides necessary medical care by a nurse with specialized training and expertise in the care of patients who have experienced sexual assault. SANE exams can help to collect evidence for five days following an assault. 

A police report is not required for a SANE exam. Even if the survivor is unsure whether he/she will pursue criminal action, they should obtain an exam. 

Sexual assault exams are provided free of charge. Exams, lab work, and medications related to SANE visits are billed to the Washington Crime Victims Compensation Program.

Pullman Regional Hospital has SANE nurses on staff, and ready to help. Please visit the emergency room for assistance. If you need a ride, Pullman PD or Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse can help you get there.

In many cases, the survivor does not have physical injuries such as cuts or bruises following their assault. Although there may not be visible injuries, it is important to receive care. It is possible to receive medical care without filing a police report. Specially trained nurses at Pullman Regional Hospital can provide a sexual assault exam at no cost. They can also provide additional resources and information. 

Survivors are encouraged to have a support person accompany them while filing a report or obtaining medical care following a sexual assault. However, in order to preserve the integrity of statements and evidence, support persons are not permitted to be present during police interviews or SANE exams. 

Officers or medical staff can arrange for a community-based advocate to be present during the interview and/or sexual assault exam, as requested. These advocates can provide support throughout the process, answer questions, assist with safety planning, and provide knowledgeable advocacy for the survivor.

Yes. While the immediate availability of officers depends on current staffing levels, Pullman PD is committed to accommodating these requests. If an officer is not immediately available to meet the request, we will make arrangements to have them meet the survivor as soon as possible, taking into account the specific circumstances of the case. In the meantime, the responding officer will assist in assessing the survivor's immediate safety needs, and will address any urgent investigative or evidence-related concerns.

After a report is made, the process that follows can vary depending upon individual circumstances. Generally, it involves gathering relevant evidence, contacting witnesses, and contacting the suspect. Survivors are encouraged to ask questions throughout the process.

The Pullman Police Department recognizes that not every survivor wishes to pursue an investigation at the time of their initial report. Those who do not wish to participate in the criminal justice process have the option to provide a statement without beginning the investigative process. Survivors may ask questions and receive resources without providing a formal statement, although the officer may ask for some details in order to help them provide the most accurate answers possible.

Supporting someone who has experienced sexual assault is vital, and the most effective initial response is to start by believing them. Many survivors fear disbelief or blame, which can be additional sources of trauma. Accepting their story at face value is important, regardless of whether all details make immediate sense to you. Your primary role is to listen empathetically. 

You may feel unsure about what to say, or fear saying the wrong thing. In these situations, simple responses are often best. 

• Ask how you can assist them in their recovery.
• Express belief in their account of the incident and empathy for what they have endured.
• Reassure them with statements like, "I believe you", and "I'm sorry that this happened to you".

Allow the survivor to control the conversation and disclose the details at their own pace. Offer to accompany them to the hospital or police department, or to help them access resources. 

It is important to respect the survivor's autonomy throughout the process. Do not pressure them to report the sexual assault or take any actions on their behalf without explicit consent. 

Survivors of sexual assault have several legal and reporting options available, regardless of whether they choose to file a police report. 

Protection Orders

Survivors may apply for a protection order, which legally prohibits the offender from contacting them, or coming within a specified distance. This measure may be pursued independent from a criminal investigation.

Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse is available to assist with questions about protection orders, and to help with the filing process.

For more information about the types of protection orders and the filing process, click here.

Resources for WSU Students

Washington State University students have the option to file a report with the WSU Office of Compliance and Civil Rights. This office provides additional resources and support tailored to the university community.

Yes, Pullman PD accepts anonymous reports. However, please be aware that anonymity will limit our ability to conduct a thorough investigation or provide direct follow-up. 

You have the right to withdraw your complaint at any time. Discussing this decision with a counselor or advocate can help you to understand the potential implications. In some cases, law enforcement may still have a duty to investigate the incident, especially if they believe that there is an ongoing risk to public safety. 

Confidentiality is a key concern in sexual assault cases. Information shared with medical professionals, police, and sexual assault advocates is handled with the highest degree of confidentiality. Laws such as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protect your medical information, and similar protections apply to other forms of reporting and advocacy. 

If you have specific questions about confidentiality, Pullman Police officers or advocates from Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse can help to answer them.

The Washington State Legislature established law (RCW 7.69.030) to make reasonable efforts to ensure that victims, survivors, and witnesses of crimes have rights, which apply to any criminal court and/or juvenile court proceedings.

Child victims and witnesses also have rights (RCW 7.69A). 

Additional information is available from the Whitman County Crime Victim/Witness Unit.

Pullman Regional Hospital

Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse

Start By Believing

Seek Then Speak

Whitman County Crime Victim/Witness Unit

Crime Victim Compensation Program

Rights of Victims & Witnesses - WA State Statute

Rights of Child Victims & Witnesses - WA State Statute

WSU Compliance & Civil Rights

Cougar Health Services

Whitman County Prosecutor's Office

WSU Student Care Network

National Sexual Violence Resource Center

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Department of Corrections Victim Services

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