Dear Neighbors:

It is no secret that the King County Sheriff’s Office faces serious challenges. I believe your tax-payer dollars should fund government programs that run smoothly and with transparency. I am concerned that deputy misconduct is impacting the public safety of our neighborhoods and unfairly tainting the overwhelming majority of deputies who serve our community with honor. That is why I recently advocated a reform package that will improve the Sheriff’s Office.

Specifically, I proposed civilian oversight of the Sheriff’s Office. As Chair of the Law, Justice, and Human Services Committee, oversight and reform of our law enforcement will be my priority this year.

I am also holding a town meeting on the Sheriff’s Office. King County Sheriff Sue Rahr will be my guest. Both Sheriff Rahr and myself will do short presentations on our individual plans for reform, and most of the evening will be spent fielding questions from the audience.

Town Meeting on the King County Sheriff’s Office
Tuesday, April 4
7:00 – 8:30pm
Inglemoor High School cafeteria
15500 Simonds Road N.E. in Kenmore

I hope you can attend!
Bob

Ferguson – Patterson Proposal for Sheriff’s Office Civilian Oversight

Many of you are following the Seattle Post Intelligencer’s investigative reporting series, “Conduct Unbecoming” regarding alleged deputy misconduct in the King County Sheriff’s Office. I am alarmed by recent articles detailing retaliation by deputies against citizens who file complaints with the Sheriff's Office. One of the issues raised in this series relates to lack of civilian oversight or independent review of the Sheriff’s Office, particularly in regard to citizen complaints.

Bob and Councilmember Patterson call for independent oversight of the King County Sheriff’s Office.

Currently, citizen complaints about the Sheriff’s Office are received and investigated solely by the Sheriff’s Office. Unlike many jurisdictions, there is no independent civilian review.

In response, I introduced legislation with Councilmember Julia Patterson calling for permanent, independent civilian oversight of the Sheriff’s Office.

Councilmember Patterson and I spent a significant amount of time examining other jurisdictions to see what type of civilian oversight model would work best for King County. One thing was clear from our research – King County is behind many jurisdictions in creating civilian oversight. Along the West Coast, for example, the cities of Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Los Angeles County have already implemented civilian oversight.

Our proposal is modeled after Los Angeles County. Like King County, Los Angeles County has an elected Sheriff and their civilian oversight office is considered a successful, national model.

There are two pieces to our proposal. First, a new office of Law Enforcement Oversight will be created in the King County Ombudsman’s office to receive and actively monitor investigations and citizen complaints concerning deputy misconduct. The office will be staffed by civilians with a background in law enforcement and civil rights completely independent of the Sheriff’s Office. The Office of Law Enforcement Oversight will also receive whistle blower complaints from deputies providing an outlet without fear of retaliation.

The second piece of the proposal will establish an Independent Auditor of Law Enforcement to review the procedures and trends of the King County Sheriff’s Office. The emphasis for the Auditor role will be to recommend long-term policy reforms.

I welcome your comments and suggestions on this proposal. To view the legislation, please visit http://mkcclegisearch.metrokc.gov/ and enter 2006-0037 as the File ID. I will keep you updated as our proposal moves forward.

In the news:
Wasting no Time – The Seattle P.I., January 29, 2006.
Enforcing Reform – The Seattle P.I., January 15, 2006.
Civilian Oversight of Sheriff’s Office Sought – The Seattle P.I., January 12, 2006.

King County Moving to All-Mail Voting?

I recently advocated for King County to move to an all-mail voting system in 2007, along with Councilmember Julia Patterson and Executive Ron Sims.

Prior to the infamous 2004 General Election, I advocated for King County Elections to specialize in one form of voting to streamline and perfect one election system. We currently operate two completely separate voting systems – absentee and poll voting. With more than 70% of voters choosing to vote by mail in the 2006 General Election, it is clear that a majority of voters are choosing to vote with their stamps, not their feet.

The benefits of an all-mail ballot are significant. An all-mail ballot system will likely increase voter turnout. The state of Oregon, which votes entirely by mail, saw an increase of voter turnout by 12 percent in their first all-mail congressional election. Vote-by-mail may save taxpayer dollars. Oregon saved $1 million in their first all-mail congressional election.

Washington State is moving rapidly to becoming a vote by mail State. 33 of Washington’s 39 counties have decided to conduct all elections entirely by mail. Snohomish County recently announced they will now hold all-mail elections.

Part of the vote by mail proposal includes the creation of a few satellite poll locations throughout King County to allow individuals the option of voting at the polls. I understand firsthand how important voting at the polls is for many citizens. My parents always vote at the Queen Anne Library. However, I believe all mail voting will improve the performance of our Elections Department.

I will keep you updated as more information becomes available regarding the potential switch to all-mail voting in King County. The County Council will be considering this proposal later this year.

In the news:
Sims Seeks All Mail Vote – The Seattle P.I, December 21, 2005.
When it Comes to Voting, There’s No Place Like Home – The Seattle Times, August 12, 2004.

Visiting the Northshore Senior Center

Bob and Marty Dennis, Director of the Northshore Senior Center.My staff and I recently visited the Northshore Senior Center in Bothell. The Center provides classes, recreational activities, nutrition programs, and companionship for over 8,000 visitors a year. My staff and I enjoyed coffee and muffins with the community and were given a tour by the Center Director, Marty Dennis.

Once a month my staff and I visit and volunteer at a non-profit organization in District 1. Volunteering is one of the most rewarding activities we do as an office and it is a great way for us to learn more about what non-profits in our district do. If you know of a non-profit that can use our time and service, please contact my office at (206) 296-1001.

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Phone: (206) 296-1001 | Fax: (206) 296-0198 | TTY/TDD: (206) 296-1024 | Toll Free: (800) 325-6165
Mailing Address: King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Room 1200, Seattle, WA 98104-3272