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Therapeutic Response Unit
TRU mental health professionals are partnered with KCSO deputies to co-respond to calls for service to provide de-escalation, crisis intervention and social service referrals.
Who we are
The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) has initiated the development of a Therapeutic Response Unit (TRU) to enhance crisis response capabilities of the KCSO across our service area. TRU is a progressive approach to law enforcement public safety which integrates mental health professionals with specially trained KCSO deputies to form co-responder teams with responsibilities that include de-escalation, crisis intervention, service referrals, and support for treatment processes.
KCSO recognizes our community members experience a wide variety of issues that may not only be related to law and public safety but rather orbit public safety with other life stressors. TRU supports KCSO’s ability to maintain public safety and enhances resources to address suffering, stressors, social service needs, and support potentially traumatic events with compassion. These types of situations, referred to as crises, may include domestic violence, suicide threats, welfare checks, traffic collisions, unhoused encampments, and substance use/overdoses. Additionally, situations that involve law enforcement can be stressful. Co-response also provides de-escalation with a trauma informed care approach that centers the individual(s) in crisis.
TRU operates within KCSO’s Community Programs and Services Division.
Our team
Susie Kroll
Program Manager and MHP
email: susie.kroll@kingcounty.gov
phone: 206-305-9509
MHP Kroll holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology and has founded 8 co-response programs in King and Snohomish Counties. She instructs nationally on co-response, de-escalation, and crisis negotiation. She is currently the Program Manager for the Therapeutic Response Unit and the MHP for the Crisis Negotiation Team for KCSO. She is a Master Trainer for Behavioral Threat Assessment Management (B-TAM) and is a Basic Threat Evaluation and Reporting Course (B-TERC) instructor from Homeland Security.
Casey Byrne
Program Coordinator and MHP
email: cabyrne@kingcounty.gov
phone: 206-741-3848
Casey is a licensed mental health counselor with experience in crisis intervention and communication, de-escalation, mediation, and harm reduction. Her areas of research and clinical practice include working with individuals and families who experience neurodevelopment disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. You may also see her at many of the community events KCSO hosts throughout the year. Casey loves playing video/board/card/puzzle games, exploring new foods, and laughing at bad puns.
Courtney Hand
Mental Health Specialist
email: chand@kingcounty.gov
phone: 206-492-6211
Courtney joins TRU as a Mental Health Professional who is looking forward to continuing to serve her community. She brings experience working with individuals and families who are experiencing acute and chronic biopsychosocial stressors or navigating complex systems. Her work centers around trauma-informed care principles and upholding the dignity and worth of every person. When she is not at work, Courtney enjoys spending time with loved ones, hiking, attending community and sporting events, and discovering all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
Grace Chung
Mental Health Specialist
email: gchung@kingcounty.gov
phone: 206-492-6021
Grace Chung is a mental health professional who joined the Therapeutic Response Unit with the King County Sheriff's Office in July. She graduated with master’s degrees in jurisprudence and social work from the University of Washington. She previously interned with the King County Department of Public Defense and Seattle Clemency Project and has also worked in inpatient and residential mental health settings. Grace enjoys walking her dogs and going to Mariner’s games on the weekend.
Marisa Sexsmith
Community Engagement and Communications
email: n-msexsmith@kingcounty.gov
phone: 206-492-6979
2025 Seattle University graduate with a Bachelor of Communications and Media, Marisa joined TRU in June 2025, to facilitate communication and connection, in and beyond the King County Sheriff’s Office. Marisa has a passion for sharing stories and bringing people together. She hopes to help bring TRU to more people across King County.
Sandi Olson
Mental Health Specialist
email: colson@kingcounty.gov
Phone: 206-492-6212
Sandi is a mental health professional with a background in social work and nutritional sciences; before joining KCSO, Sandi worked in policy and research. Sandi is excited to connect, listen, and learn with community members and KCSO. Sandi relocated from Florida to King County with her 3 cats, kiddo, and husband.