Office of Law Enforcement Oversight: Sheriff’s Office should adopt trauma-informed notification practices in the aftermath of critical incidents

August 1, 2024

In a report sent to the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) last month, King County’s Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO) reviewed policies surrounding notifications to family members and the public in the aftermath of critical incidents and made several recommendations.

“This report aims to promote trauma-informed practices as well as greater transparency and consistency in the aftermath of critical incidents,” said Tamer Abouzeid, OLEO Director. “Critical incidents are traumatic for everyone involved, and we have provided the Sheriff’s Office with multiple recommendations in keeping with our role as an independent agency tasked with representing the interests of the public.”

“We are incredibly grateful for the feedback from impacted families, community organizations, researchers, and government partners that informed this work,” said Lea Hunter, OLEO policy analyst. “This report offers concrete steps the Sheriff’s Office can take to improve their communication practices and better support families and communities impacted by a law enforcement incident resulting in death or serious injury.”

OLEO is dedicated to improving the lives of King County residents through its independent oversight of the Sheriff’s Office. We aim to further policing standards that are driven by community and rooted in equity through objective reviews, independent investigations, and evidence-based policy recommendations.

Read the full report here.