Executive Constantine appoints Patti Cole-Tindall as interim King County Sheriff; announces plan for retention and recruitment bonuses
King County Undersheriff Patti Cole-Tindall has been named interim Sheriff, effective January 1, taking over the duties of the office to ensure a smooth transition and ongoing leadership while a nationwide recruitment process is completed. She will be the first person of color in the Sheriff position in King County’s history.

King County seeks to collaborate with residents in urban unincorporated areas to Reimagine Public Safety
An anonymous survey will ask residents to share their ideas on how to keep their community safe through methods beyond traditional policing and the criminal legal system. Feedback will inform pilot programs that launch in 2022.

Executive Constantine and Mayor Durkan announce land swap for City Hall Park
King County and the City of Seattle have come to an agreement on a land swap to transfer ownership of City Hall Park from the City of Seattle to King County in exchange for multiple county-owned properties including a park in South Park.

Nationwide recruitment begins for King County’s next Sheriff
The recruitment for King County’s next Sheriff incorporates community feedback and will include opportunities for input from community representatives, employees, and labor representatives.

King County activating plans for equitable COVID-19 vaccine access for children ages five to eleven following CDC approval
King County announced that availability of COVID-19 vaccine for children ages five- to eleven-years-old will begin this week at some pediatrician offices, community clinics, and vaccine partnership sites throughout the region, following federal authorization for this age group. The vaccine now authorized for younger children will drive down the risk of COVID-19 for kids and will help prevent transmission to family members and older adults in children’s lives.