Summary

The King County Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to confirm Patti Cole-Tindall as the new King County Sheriff.

Story

The King County Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to confirm Patti Cole-Tindall as the new King County Sheriff.

Cole-Tindall was appointed Interim Sheriff on Jan. 1 and Executive Dow Constantine announced her as his choice for Sheriff on May 3.

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. Before she joined the King County Sheriff’s Office, she was the director of the King County Office of Labor Relations for six years. She has also served in roles with the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention, the county’s Community Corrections Division, and as interim director of the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight.

Cole-Tindall is the first appointed sheriff since voters approved a change to the King County Charter in 2020 to change the position from an elected position to an appointed position.

Council quotes:

King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles:

“I am very pleased to support the confirmation of Patti Cole-Tindall’s appointment to King County Sheriff. During her time serving as Undersheriff and then Interim Sheriff, I have been impressed with her leadership and management skills, including how she leads with humility, collaboration, and thoughtfulness. I know that her unique professional experience and the trust she’s built with deputies will serve her well as she goes forward as our new Sheriff. Congratulations, Sheriff Cole-Tindall!”

King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci:

“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. She has proven she can work with a wide variety of people in law enforcement and the community, and that she can lead an effective organization while driving change. I am excited to work with Sheriff Cole-Tindall in her new role.”

King County Councilmember Sarah Perry:

“Since beginning my term on King County Council this year, I have found working with Interim Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall to be a great experience. Her dedicated service and commitment to public safety and behavioral health for all of our King County residents is clear. In addition, her willingness to show not only strong leadership, but strong community collaboration on critical issues has moved the Sheriff’s office forward on issues of equity and social determinants of health. I couldn't be happier with her appointment and I'm looking forward to continuing the partnership with Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall to ensure that we are focusing on the health, safety, and well-being of all of our King County residents.”

King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski:

“I look forward to working with Sheriff Cole-Tindall as she takes on this critical job at this critical time.”

King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer:

“I am pleased to have supported the confirmation of Patti Cole-Tindall as King County Sheriff. Sheriff Cole-Tindall brings a non-traditional background to this position, and during this period of increasing concern with lawlessness, I am committed to working with her as well as the rank-and-file uniformed officers of King County.”