King County Begins Nationwide Search For A New Sheriff

KING COUNTY, WA — A national search is underway to find King County's next sheriff, one year after voters approved a charter amendment to make the office an appointed position. Mitzi Johanknecht was elected sheriff in 2017, and her term expires at the end of the year.

King County Executive Dow Constantine will appoint an interim sheriff to take over on Jan. 1, who will serve until the nationwide recruitment effort concludes. Whoever Constantine selects to take on the permanent role will also need approval from the Metropolitan King County Council. Constantine's office estimates a new sheriff will be chosen by next summer. Applications received by mid-January will receive priority.

"We have an opportunity to rethink community safety — including policing — in King County, and we intend to seize this moment to create positive change," Constantine said in a statement. "We will conduct an extensive search and interview process to guarantee that the voices of our many communities are heard and reflected in the next Sheriff. I look forward to working with an interim Sheriff and the entire Sheriff's department staff starting January 1 and, after a national search, appointing our new Sheriff."

The executive's office chose the recruitment firm POLIHIRE to lead the search, and an official job posting was published on its website Monday. The listing advertises a salary range between $199,195 and $252,429. Requirements detailed in the job description include a bachelor's degree and at least 10 years of executive-level command experience at a law enforcement agency of similar size. The new sheriff will also be subject to the county's COVID-19 vaccine requirement for public employees.

According to Constantine's office, the national recruitment effort will rely on the recommendations developed by the Public Safety Advisory Committee.

"The PSAC report highlighted key qualities for a new Sheriff, including a strong background in law enforcement, community leadership, and community partnerships; a reputation for integrity, honesty, and transparency; the ability to inspire and motivate change; and a commitment to equity, racial and social justice, and LGBTQ+ issues," officials wrote Monday. "These will form the basis for the core competencies for the next Sheriff."

The King County Sheriff's Office has roughly 1,200 people on staff and its boundaries include several unincorporated communities and 12 partner cities. Officials estimate more than 500,000 people live within its jurisdiction.

Read the full job profile via POLIHIRE.