King County

Committee

About Us

King County Government and Sheriff’s office is an important but often overlooked level of our system of “justice” and where action on police accountability can make a big impact on our area. By advocating and pushing for changes at the county level, we engage directly with the level of government in front of us. We also hope to be an example or partner for folks doing similar work at other levels of government.


King County provides regional services such as elections, courts and detention (adult and juvenile), mental health services, emergency services and many others. The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) provides city level policing to unincorporated King County as well as 16 cities and agencies, directly policing 25% of the county population.

 
 

The King County Committees Goals are to:

  1. Advocate for changes in policy and practices of King County and the Sheriff’s Office to improve police accountability and racial equity toward public safety for all.

  2. Be responsive to community concerns regarding the Sheriff’s office, and amplify community messages. 

  3. Educate about King County Government and the Sheriff’s Office.

We hold regular meetings bi-weekly on Tuesdays, 6:00 to 7:30pm.

What We Do and How We Do It

  • More About King County

    King County has an Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO) that is tasked with representing the interests of the public in holding KCSO accountable for providing fair and just policing through independent review of the Sheriff’s Office Internal Investigations. Advocating for policy that supports, facilitates, and strengthens the effectiveness of this office is an ongoing focus of our work.

  • Our Work

    Our committee meets every 2 weeks to stay up to date on the issues we’re following and next steps for any advocacy or education work we’re engaged in. These are working sessions where we process and share what we are learning and what actions we will take. In-between meetings, folks share information on Slack - articles, actions and information from other meetings/groups they participate in.

 

Not sure what King County District you live in?

 
 

 Examples of ways we learn, stay connected, and advocate:

  • Partner with other community groups focused on police accountability and changes to policing practice. For example: Not This Time, Next Steps WA, WA Coalition on Police Accountability, League of Women Voters, Indivisible

  • Develop relationships with allies in King County Government and agencies. For example: Council Members and staff, the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight, the Public Safety Advisory Committee.

  • Attend and testify at KC Law, Justice, Health and Human Services meetings.

  • Write letters to council members or other officials.

  • Write template letters to share with our communities as Action Alerts.

  • Survey KC candidates about their stance on relevant issues for our Voter Guide.

Past Accomplishments

  • Advocating for King County Charter Amendments

    Campaigned for the four 2020 King County Charter Amendments on police accountability through the voter guide, by co-hosting a Town Hall event with Council Members that supported the amendments and members of partner organizations, and by sharing information in our communities. All four amendments were approved by voters.

    2020 Voter Guide: 4 Charter Amendments

    Check It Out

  • Creating a More Informed Electorate

    2021 Voter Guide: candidate responses to a police accountability survey for 14 different races at both county and contract city levels.

    Check It Out

  • King Country Public Safety Advisory Committee

    Supported the creation of the King County Public Safety Advisory Committee to provide key stakeholder input in the implementation of the amendments, and advocated for the community members on the committee to be paid for this work. Met/communicated with Council members and their staff and then provided public testimony in support.

    Learn More

  • Roles & Responsibilities of the Sheriff

    Provided community feedback at multiple stages in the development of recommendations by the Public Safety Advisory Committee to the Council and Executive regarding the upcoming appointment of a new Sheriff, and possible changes to the structure and duties of the Sheriff’s Office. (This advocacy and feedback is ongoing).

    Learn More

  • Advocated for Resignation of Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht

    Allied with Not This Time and Next Steps WA to call for former Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht’s resignation. Wrote to County Council Members and the Sheriff directly, asking for her resignation.

    Learn More

How Can I Help?

 

Express Interest on the Committee Survey

Click here to complete the survey, and you will get added to our committee email list.

Come to a Meeting

Join us at one of our upcoming meetings! Find the next one on our calendar.

Connect with us on our Slack Channel

We do a lot of work between meetings through Slack. We’re always happy to help you get started with Slack, if you’re new to it!