KING COUNTY, Wash. — King County authorities and a Washington lawmaker announced Wednesday morning new funding for body cameras in the state's 8th Congressional District and more funding for the King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO).
Rep. Kim Schrier, who represents King, Pierce, Kittitas, Chelan and Snohomish counties and part of Douglas County, said Wednesday she secured $2 million for the KCSO, including $1 million for body-worn cameras.
Schrier said Sammamish police officers will be fully outfitted with body cameras by the end of March.
"I have met with police chiefs, police officers, retailers, and constituents across the 8th District who are concerned about increasingly brazen crime in every corner of the district," Schrier said in a release. "In these meetings and ride-alongs with law enforcement, I've learned about what they need to keep themselves and their communities safe, and the resounding answer was body cameras. I'm proud of my work in Congress to bring federal dollars back home to the 8th District in order to support local law enforcement and improve public safety. These projects, totaling nearly $4 million, will provide the King County Sheriff's Office with the resources they need to respond to the needs and concerns of our community."
King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall supported the state's investment in body cameras.
"I see body-worn cameras as a tool for transparency, accountability, and trust-building between law enforcement and the communities we serve," Cole-Tindall said. "They capture crucial moments, providing an unbiased account of interactions, which can help enhance public safety and uphold the integrity of law enforcement."
According to Schrier, $811,000 of the funds for the KCSO will go towards a rapid DNA system to process DNA more efficiently instead of using the crime lab. The lab, Schrier said, has a "lengthy backlog" for most cases.
Another $963,000 will support a co-response team to east King County communities including Maple Valley, Covington, and Sammamish. This will include the cost for a dedicated mental health professional, a dedicated law enforcement officer, vehicle expenses and other expenses.