ARLINGTON—The City of Arlington has terminated the employment of Police Officer Dustin Bartlett, effective June 11, 2026, following an internal investigation into violations of department policy.
“This Officer was previously arrested by the Island County Sheriff’s Office on May 18, 2026, for investigation of possession of depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He was arrested again by the Island County Sheriff on May 29, 2026, for violation of a domestic violence no-contact order. The City takes employee conduct seriously and is committed to maintaining high professional standards and public trust,” the city released in a statement.
Officer Bartlett, 41, of Camano Island, joined the Arlington Police Department in October 2018 as a lateral transfer. Prior to his service with Arlington PD, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2010, was commissioned into the Military Police Corps, and rose to the rank of Captain. He served with the Defense CBRNE Reaction Force and also served in the Washington Air National Guard before separating in 2019 to focus on full-time law enforcement.
During his nearly eight years with the Arlington Police Department, Officer Bartlett held several specialized roles beyond routine patrol duties. These included serving as a field training officer who helped prepare 14 new officers for independent duty, participating in the agency’s drone program, working as an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) instructor, acting as a crisis negotiator, serving as a rescue vehicle driver, and maintaining certification as an emergency medical technician. In August 2024, he appeared on the sergeant promotional eligibility list, ranked fourth after veteran’s preference points.
Officer Bartlett was recognized multiple times for his service. He was named Arlington Police Department Employee of the Year in 2020, received the Chief’s Award for Community Engagement in 2019, earned an Individual Commendation Award in 2024, and shared a Life Saving Award earlier in 2026 with Sgt. Luke Adkins and Officer Abigail Schranck. He was also highlighted by the department during National Police Week observances, including in May 2026.
On May 18, 2026, Officer Bartlett was arrested by the Island County Sheriff’s Office following the service of a search warrant at his residence on Camano Island. He faces multiple counts of first-degree possession of depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He was booked into Island County Jail on May 19, 2026. On May 29, 2026, he was arrested again by the Island County Sheriff for violation of a domestic violence no-contact order.
Following his initial arrest, the Arlington Police Department placed Officer Bartlett on administrative leave pending both the criminal investigation and its own internal review.
The Arlington Police Department shared that it is cooperating fully with the Island County Sheriff’s Office investigation.
Author: Mario Lotmore
