SEATTLE — Executive Dow Constantine has appointed Patti Cole-Tindall to serve as interim King County sheriff beginning Jan. 1. She will be the first person of color to serve as sheriff in King County’s history.
Cole-Tindall joined the King County Sheriff’s Office in October 2015, serving as the chief of the Technical Services Division for almost five years before being appointed undersheriff, where she is responsible for day-to-day operations with the three division chiefs.
Prior to that, Cole-Tindall concurrently served as the county’s director of labor relations and the interim director of the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight.
“I am honored to serve as the interim sheriff, and will be working closely with my management teams to support and lead the people of the KCSO until the new sheriff is appointed,” said Cole-Tindall. “During this transition, my mission is clear: support our workforce, ensure a smooth transition, and listen to the communities we serve as we reimagine law enforcement in King County.”
Executive Constantine also announced a new retention and recruitment bonus program for Sheriff’s officers today. The proposed plan includes a one-time $4,000 retention bonus for all commissioned Sheriff’s Office employees employed on Jan. 1, 2022, as well as hiring and referral bonuses.
Last week, Executive Constantine announced the beginning of a nationwide recruitment process for the county’s next sheriff, expected to conclude in the summer of 2022. Cole-Tindell will serve as sheriff until that time, at which point the new sheriff will be appointed.