Sheriff's Office
The King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) provides law enforcement services, public safety programs, records services, emergency response coordination, and community policing resources for residents throughout King County. This article explains the role of the Sheriff's Office, how to contact the correct unit, how to use online services, when to call emergency or non-emergency lines, and what information residents should prepare when requesting assistance.
Role of the Sheriff's Office
The King County Sheriff's Office serves the law enforcement needs of more than half a million people in unincorporated areas and twelve contract cities. The agency also provides police departments for the Muckleshoot Tribe, Metro Transit, and King County International Airport. Specialized resources, including helicopters and bomb disposal services, are available to support residents throughout the county.
The Sheriff's Office manages patrol services, investigations, emergency communications, court protection services, records requests, crime prevention programs, and specialized operations. Residents can review the agency's structure, services, and responsibilities through the King County Sheriff's Office official website.
Emergency and Non-Emergency Calls
Choosing the correct phone number helps emergency responders prioritize urgent situations and keeps emergency lines available for immediate threats.
Emergency situations
Residents should call 9-1-1 for police, fire, or medical emergencies. Emergency calls are intended for situations requiring an immediate response, including active threats or incidents that are currently happening.
Non-emergency police service
For situations that require an officer response but are not emergencies, residents can call 206-296-3311. The non-emergency line is available 24 hours a day.
Examples of situations that may use the non-emergency number include reporting a vehicle theft that occurred overnight, adding information to a previous burglary report, reporting an abandoned vehicle, or requesting assistance when there is no immediate danger.
Online Police Reports
The Sheriff's Office provides an online reporting system for certain non-emergency incidents. Before submitting a report online, residents should confirm that their situation meets all required conditions.
Online reporting is available only when:
The incident is not an emergency or crime in progress.
The incident occurred within unincorporated King County or one of the Sheriff's Office contract cities.
The incident did not occur on Sound Transit, a Metro bus, a Park & Ride, or a state freeway.
The report is not for a lost or stolen firearm.
The person submitting the report is the victim.
There are no known suspects.
No evidence was left behind.
The person filing the report has a valid email address.
Residents who meet these requirements can submit reports through the KCSO online reporting system. After completing a report, the system provides a temporary report number. This temporary number is not the permanent case number.
After the report is reviewed and approved, the Sheriff's Office sends an email within five days containing the permanent case number and a copy of the report. If a report does not meet online reporting requirements, the person submitting it will receive notification by email or may be directed to contact the non-emergency line.
Sheriff Services Available
The Sheriff's Office provides many public services beyond patrol response. Different services have separate procedures, requirements, and responsible units, so residents should select the service that matches their specific need.
Records requests
The Sheriff's Office provides access to records through its Public Disclosure Unit. Requests under the Public Records Act are handled by the Public Disclosure Unit, while other requests involving legal matters, government agencies, or specific processes may be handled by different units.
Residents can submit requests and learn about available records through the KCSO records request information page. Records may be provided as copies, and residents may also choose to inspect records when permitted.
Concealed pistol licenses
The Sheriff's Office processes Washington State Concealed Pistol License applications for eligible applicants. A person must apply with the sheriff's office of the county where they live. Residents who live within city limits may also apply through their city's police department.
Applicants must meet the stated requirements, including being at least 21 years old and presenting a Washington State driver’s license or state identification at the time of application. Passports and military identification are not accepted instead of state-issued identification.
The Sheriff's Office also handles Alien Firearm License services and firearm dealer license services. Applicants should review current requirements, accepted payments, and application instructions before visiting an office.
Accident reports and investigations
The Sheriff's Office provides accident report services and investigation-related assistance through its public services system. Residents seeking information about a specific investigation may contact the Sheriff's Office main phone number for assistance locating the appropriate unit or detective.
Community Safety Programs
The Sheriff's Office provides crime prevention information covering topics such as auto theft, carjacking, e-bike safety, firearm safety, home safety, identity theft and fraud, personal safety, senior safety, sexual assault awareness, and traffic stops.
The KCSO crime prevention and safety resources provide information residents can use to reduce risks and learn about safety practices.
Crime prevention assistance
Residents can learn about community safety practices and neighborhood-based prevention efforts. The Sheriff's Office also provides information about programs designed to help residents participate in crime prevention activities.
Police Precinct Locations
The Sheriff's Office operates precincts that provide police services for communities served by KCSO. Residents can use precinct information to identify the location serving their area.
The Sheriff's Office identifies three main precinct locations:
KCSO North Precinct 2 - Sammamish
KCSO Southeast Precinct 3 - Maple Valley
KCSO Southwest Precinct 4 - Burien
Residents can review precinct information and community police services through the KCSO police precinct information page.
Specialized Police Operations
The Sheriff's Office maintains specialized units that support complex public safety situations. These teams include Air Support, Bomb Disposal, Crisis Negotiation, K-9, Marine Search and Rescue, and TAC30.
Many specialized unit members have additional assignments and cross-training, allowing the Sheriff's Office to provide specialized services while continuing regular emergency response operations.
More information about these units is available through the KCSO Special Operations information page.
Contacting the Correct Unit
The Sheriff's Office has different contacts for general questions, records, firearms services, recruitment, legal matters, civil services, and records management. Selecting the correct office can help prevent delays.
General questions, comments, or concerns may be directed to the Sheriff's Office main contact. The general email address is not monitored 24 hours a day and should not be used to report crimes, time-sensitive incidents, or request records.
For a specific investigation, residents can call the Sheriff's Office main phone number. Staff can help identify the appropriate unit or detective contact when information is available.
Preparing Before Contacting KCSO
Having accurate information available can help the Sheriff's Office respond more efficiently. Depending on the service requested, residents may need information such as:
The location where an incident occurred.
The date and approximate time of an incident.
A description of the situation or request.
Any available report information or temporary report number.
Contact information for follow-up communication.
For records requests, residents should clearly identify the records being requested. For online reports, residents should confirm that the incident meets the required reporting conditions before submitting information.
King County Sheriff's Office Departments
King County Sheriff's Office — 516 Third Avenue, Room W-116, Seattle, WA 98104 — 206-296-4155
Public Disclosure Unit — King County Courthouse, 516 3rd Avenue, Room W-116, Seattle, WA 98104 — 206-263-2103
Firearm Licensing and Compliance Unit — 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 — 206-477-8822
Recruiter — 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 — 206-263-5276
Legal Unit — 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 — 206-263-2520
Civil Unit — 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 — 206-263-2600
Records Unit — 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 — 206-263-2626
KCSO North Precinct 2 - Sammamish — 801 228th Ave SE, Suite #202, Sammamish, WA 98075 — 206-263-9133
KCSO Southeast Precinct 3 - Maple Valley — 22300 SE 231st Street, Maple Valley, WA 98038 — 206-477-6446
KCSO Southwest Precinct 4 - Burien — 14905 6th Ave SW, Burien, WA 98166 — 206-477-2200
Sheriff's Office FAQs
How can I submit a non-emergency police report online?
The King County Sheriff's Office provides online reporting for specific non-emergency incidents. Before starting a report, residents should confirm that the situation qualifies, including that there is no emergency, no crime currently in progress, no known suspect, and no evidence left behind. The incident must also occur within an area served by the Sheriff's Office and meet other online reporting requirements. Residents can review eligibility details and submit qualifying reports through the online reporting service.
How do I request records from the King County Sheriff's Office?
Residents can request Sheriff's Office records through the appropriate records process. Public records requests are handled under the Washington Public Records Act, while some legal or government-related requests may follow different procedures. The records request page explains how to request records, available options for receiving copies, and how residents may inspect records when permitted.
Where can I find crime prevention and safety information?
The King County Sheriff's Office provides safety guidance for common concerns, including home safety, auto theft, identity theft and fraud, personal safety, senior safety, traffic stops, and firearm safety. Residents can use these resources to learn practical steps for reducing risks and improving neighborhood awareness through the official crime prevention and safety information.
What services require an appointment or additional requirements?
Some Sheriff's Office services have specific procedures, eligibility rules, or required steps before assistance can be provided. These services may include concealed pistol licenses, fingerprinting, legal document services, protection orders, investigations, and other specialized requests. Residents should review the available service information through the official Sheriff services page to understand requirements before beginning a request.