MYNORTHWEST NEWS

King County confirms Patti Cole-Tindall as new Sheriff

May 24, 2022, 3:45 PM | Updated: 4:16 pm

King County interim Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall...

Patti Cole-Tindall speaks after her appointment to serve as King County's interim sheriff. (Hanna Scott, KIRO Newsradio)

(Hanna Scott, KIRO Newsradio)

The King County Council voted unanimously to confirm Patti Cole-Tindall as the new King County Sheriff on Tuesday, becoming the first person of color to serve the position.

Cole-Tindall was appointed interim King County Sheriff in January 2022 by King County Executive Dow Constantine, her former direct superior when she was the County’s Director of Labor Relations.

Prior to the interim appointment, Cole-Tindall had served as Undersheriff since 2020, and previously was the Chief of the Technical Services Division for almost five years. The new Sheriff will need to undergo 19 weeks of state police academy training for recertification before officially taking the role of King County Sheriff. Her last Basic Law Enforcement Academy training was 30 years ago.

“As we face big challenges in providing both basic public safety and the changes demanded by our community, Patti Cole-Tindall brings a unique combination of experience and leadership as she takes on the role of Sheriff,” said King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci.

Her appointment didn’t come without concerns, as some councilmembers are wary that the department will lean toward a more leftist agenda.

“I hope that she has the strength and the independence of mind to push back on Executive Constantine and the council when they start talking about these far-left policies and pushing social workers dealing with violent offenders,” explained Councilmember Reagan Dunn to The Jason Rantz Show on AM 770 KTTH.

Cole-Tindall said she will hold the department accountable in a recent appearance on The Gee and Ursula Show on KIRO Newsradio.

“We have accountability here at the sheriff’s office, and we will hold people accountable if we learned that they are actively working against the mission and goal of this agency,” explained Cole-Tindall.

MyNorthwest News

arlington logging fire...

Jason Sutich

Two-alarm fire erupts inside Arlington logging facility, shuts down several roads

A two-alarm commercial fire broke out inside a logging company warehouse early in the morning in Arlington, shutting down several roads on Wednesday.

16 minutes ago

jimothy seattle figurine toy...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Seattle Glassblowing Studio now selling Jimothy figurines, ornaments

It seems like everyone, from police agencies to pro sports to local artists, is jumping on the Jimothy love train.

54 minutes ago

winco foods grocery store seattle renton opening...

Jason Sutich

New WinCo Foods coming to Renton’s former Fry’s Electronics space

WinCo Foods is opening up its newest grocery store location in Renton at The Landing, inside the former Fry's Electronics building.

2 hours ago

car crash everett 100 mph...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Car crashes into Everett neighborhood at 100+ mph after brief pursuit, at least 1 seriously injured

At least one person was seriously injured after a car crashed into an Everett neighborhood and landed upside-down in a front yard early Wednesday morning.

2 hours ago

bill gates foundation jeffrey epstein...

Luke Duecy

Bill Gates ignored repeated warnings about Jeffrey Epstein, independent Gates Foundation review finds

Bill Gates was repeatedly warned by employees about the reputational risks of associating with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, but continued meeting with him for years.

2 hours ago

amber alert kennewick kidnap...

Frank Sumrall

Amber Alert suspect surrenders after kidnapping 4-year-old daughter in Kennewick

After a week on the run, Amber Alert suspect Matthew Susmilch has surrendered himself to authorities.

3 hours ago

King County confirms Patti Cole-Tindall as new Sheriff