There's a new sheriff in town, and it's a familiar face
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SEATTLE -- There's a familiar face now in charge of the King County Sheriff's Office. John Urquhart, the agency's longtime spokesman, was sworn in as sheriff Wednesday morning.
He says he plans to get started right away, with meetings scheduled all day with his chiefs and deputies.
Urquhart retired as a sergeant in February, but then decided to run for the head of the department that employed him since 1988.
Several months ago, a pair of independent audits declared that the sheriff's office needs a new review board, possibly with a citizen member, to correct serious flaws in the way it examines shootings and other use-of-force incidents by its deputies. The new sheriff says 25 specific recommendations were addressed, and he plans to tackle each of them.
"We have to look at everything; have to make sure we understand what the community wants," Urquhart said. "It's not what we want, it's not even what we think is right, it's what the community wants -- the kind of police department they want us to be. That's what I intend to do. I don't have a timetable for that."
Urquhart will need to think about re-election sooner than later. He's serving for only one year to fill-out the term of former sheriff Sue Rahr, who resigned earlier this year.
Part of the heavy work load for Urquhart will be mediation hearings involving a $9 million sexual harassment lawsuit filed against the county by three veteran female detectives.
He says he plans to get started right away, with meetings scheduled all day with his chiefs and deputies.
Urquhart retired as a sergeant in February, but then decided to run for the head of the department that employed him since 1988.
Several months ago, a pair of independent audits declared that the sheriff's office needs a new review board, possibly with a citizen member, to correct serious flaws in the way it examines shootings and other use-of-force incidents by its deputies. The new sheriff says 25 specific recommendations were addressed, and he plans to tackle each of them.
"We have to look at everything; have to make sure we understand what the community wants," Urquhart said. "It's not what we want, it's not even what we think is right, it's what the community wants -- the kind of police department they want us to be. That's what I intend to do. I don't have a timetable for that."
Urquhart will need to think about re-election sooner than later. He's serving for only one year to fill-out the term of former sheriff Sue Rahr, who resigned earlier this year.
Part of the heavy work load for Urquhart will be mediation hearings involving a $9 million sexual harassment lawsuit filed against the county by three veteran female detectives.
I was at the Urquhart victory party on election night when the returns came in and we knew he had clinched it. Strachan did not have the decency to concede that day, he dragged it out even though the % margin was rather large.
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Congrats to you John and I'm sure you'll do a good job cleaning up KCSO. It's nice to have a Sheriff who respects Open Carry and the rights of citizens to defend themselves.Â
@NorthwestEconomist  I was also at that party - what a wonderful, fun night that was! Strachan did not want to relinquish that office. Too bad. John will make a MUCH better Sheriff.
I actually think that he will do some good for the department. He could have just kicked back and enjoyed his retirement, but has decided to do this because he wants to make things better for the department and the public. I think his intentions are admirable. I look forward to seeing what changes he makes.
Congratulations, John! So proud to have been at least a small part of your campaign and election. Looking forward to going thru it all again next November. You are what King County needs in the Sheriff's Office!
will anything change, I am not holding my breath, Urquhart is part of the problem and he will play to his good ole boy buddies. I am sure he had already drawn up a list of excuses to use that are union approved.
You go, John!!
When I read the headline I was really hoping for Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Dang.