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

starbucks stores washington...

MyNorthwest Staff

Starbucks closing 5 Washington stores, cutting 8 Seattle HQ jobs

Starbucks is closing five stores in Washington and cutting eight jobs at its Seattle headquarters.

44 minutes ago

animal cruelty whatcom county...

Frank Sumrall

30 dogs rescued from Whatcom County shelter in animal cruelty probe

Approximately 30 dogs were rescued from an "animal cruelty situation" by detectives with the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Tuesday.

56 minutes ago

tacoma bail bond explosive...

Jason Sutich

Tacoma police search for suspect after explosion damages bail bonds business

The Tacoma Police Department is actively searching for a suspect who allegedly tried to blow up a bail bonds business in Tacoma on Monday.

2 hours ago

Shon Barnes (2) wilson...

Frank Sumrall

Former Seattle Police Department Chief Shon Barnes lands private-sector job

Shon Barnes, the former chief of the Seattle Police Department, is taking his public-safety experience into the private sector, joining MissionRT to advise law-enforcement agencies.

3 hours ago

aurora avenue crash...

Frank Sumrall

Multi-car crash blocks Aurora Avenue early Wednesday morning

At least two cars were involved in an early morning crash Wednesday on Aurora Avenue N. that blocked multiple lanes.

4 hours ago

thurston county manhunt suspect escape...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Thurston Co. suspect escapes patrol car while handcuffed, leading to multi-hour manhunt

On Oct. 6, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office found a man hiding under a porch who had escaped handcuffed from a patrol car, prompting an hours-long manhunt for him.

4 hours ago

King County confirms Patti Cole-Tindall as new Sheriff