Arlington officer accused of possessing child porn terminated
Jun 11, 2026, 12:04 PM
Dustin Bartlett was terminated from the Arlington Police Department after being accused of possessing child sex abuse material. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
An Arlington Police Department officer has been terminated after he was arrested for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material.
The City of Arlington terminated 41-year-old Dustin Bartlett Thursday following an internal investigation into violations of department policy, according to a news release from city officials.
The Island County Sheriff’s Office arrested Bartlett on May 18 for allegedly possessing images depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, the Arlington Police Department said in a statement to KIRO Newsradio.
“The city takes employee conduct seriously and is committed to maintaining high professional standards and public trust,” Arlington officials wrote.
Bartlett — who was once named “Officer of the Year,” according to KIRO 7 — is accused of having more than 1,000 files of child sex abuse material. His girlfriend turned in two hard drives of child pornography to deputies after finding the images in their Camano Island home.
“She’s very brave,” Sarah Graham, one of Bartlett’s neighbors, told KIRO 7. “I give her a lot of credit for being strong enough. Cause a lot of women wouldn’t feel able to do that.”
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Bartlett was originally placed on administrative leave. He was arrested again by the Island County Sheriff’s Office on May 29 for violating a domestic violence no-contact order.
Bartlett reportedly returned home after he was released on bail, prompting neighbors to call 911. He was under an order that prohibited him from getting near his girlfriend.
“The Arlington Police Department is aware that Dustin Bartlett was arrested by the Island County Sheriff’s Office over the weekend for allegedly violating the conditions of his pre-trial release,” the Arlington Police Department stated. “At the time of his initial arrest, Bartlett was relieved of police powers and placed on administrative leave. That status remains unchanged at this time.”
The police department said Bartlett’s most recent arrest would not affect the initial investigation for child pornography led by the Island County Sheriff’s Office.
Contributing: KIRO 7
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