Kennewick City: Report Hate Crimes & LGBTQ Rights

Civil Rights and Equity Washington 3 Minutes Read ยท published March 09, 2026 Flag of Washington

In Kennewick, Washington, people who experience or witness bias-motivated incidents can report them to the Kennewick Police Department and City Civil Rights & Equity staff. This guide explains local reporting paths, who enforces violations, available rights for LGBTQ individuals, and practical steps to file complaints or seek assistance. It summarizes the city-level resources and how those interact with county and state criminal prosecutions so you know where to go and what to expect.

Where to report bias incidents

Report hate crimes and bias incidents to the Kennewick Police Department for criminal investigation; the City of Kennewick Civil Rights & Equity office handles non-criminal discrimination complaints and community outreach. Contact the police for immediate danger or emergencies, and use the civil-rights contact for municipal complaints and resource referrals. [1]

If you are in danger call 911 immediately.

Penalties & Enforcement

Criminal hate crimes are investigated by the Kennewick Police Department and prosecuted by the Benton County Prosecuting Attorney; enhancements and penalties for bias-motivated crimes are governed by Washington state criminal law or prosecutorial charging decisions. Municipal-level sanctions for discriminatory municipal-rule violations are enforced by the city department identified on the relevant municipal page; specific fine amounts or escalation schedules are not specified on the cited city pages and may be set by state statute or prosecutorial policy. [2]

  • Enforcer: Kennewick Police Department for suspected crimes; Benton County Prosecutor for charges.
  • Complaint pathway: call 911 for emergencies; non-emergencies use the police records or civilian complaint page.
  • Appeals/review: criminal charges follow court appeal rules; administrative city decisions follow the city appeal or records process (time limits not specified on the cited city pages).
  • Fines and monetary penalties: not specified on the cited city pages; criminal penalties depend on state statutes and prosecutorial charges.
  • Defences/discretion: prosecutors and city officials may consider intent, evidence, and lawful exemptions; permit or variance defences apply where expressly authorized by ordinance.
Local criminal prosecutions and municipal administrative remedies are separate processes.

Applications & Forms

No special municipal form is required to report a criminal hate crime; report to police by phone or in person. For city civil-rights or discrimination complaints, the Civil Rights & Equity office provides intake procedures on the city site; the city pages do not publish a standard printable form on the cited pages. [2]

How the process works

  • Collect evidence: preserve messages, photos, video, witness names, dates, and locations.
  • Report to police for criminal matters; provide a clear statement and any evidence.
  • Contact the City Civil Rights & Equity office for non-criminal discrimination or to request accommodations or referrals.
  • If criminal charges are filed, the county prosecutor handles prosecution; follow court notices for appeal timelines.
Keep a written log of all contacts, dates, and outcomes when reporting an incident.

FAQ

How do I report a hate crime in Kennewick?
Call 911 for emergencies or contact the Kennewick Police Department non-emergency line; you may also contact the City Civil Rights & Equity office for support and referrals.
Will the city impose fines for bias incidents?
Monetary fines for criminal actions are determined by state law and prosecutorial charging; municipal pages cited do not list specific fine amounts.
Can I report anonymously?
Anonymous tips may be accepted by police, but anonymous reports can limit the ability to investigate or prosecute; check police reporting options for details.

How-To

  1. Call 911 if you or someone else is in immediate danger.
  2. Preserve evidence: save messages, photos, and record witness names and times.
  3. Contact Kennewick Police by phone or in person to file a report; provide the evidence you collected.
  4. If you need municipal support or have a non-criminal discrimination concern, contact the City Civil Rights & Equity office for intake and referrals.
  5. If charges are filed, follow court instructions and consult legal counsel for appeals or further civil actions.

Key Takeaways

  • Report criminal incidents to police promptly and preserve evidence.
  • Use the City Civil Rights & Equity office for non-criminal complaints and community resources.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Kennewick Civil Rights & Equity page
  2. [2] Kennewick Police Department reporting and contacts

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