Summary

Proposed budget also restores funding for four uniformed officers

Story

As part of his 2014/2015 budget to be released on Monday, King County Executive Dow Constantine proposes reopening the King County Sheriff's Office precinct in Maple Valley, known as the Hicks-Raburn Precinct, as well as restoring funding for four uniformed officers.

"A top priority for the Sheriff is to bring deputies closer to the people they serve, and to have a place in southeast King County to restore the vital practice of weekly roll calls with sergeants and deputies," said Executive Constantine. "My budget reopens the Hicks-Raburn Precinct, providing that base of operations as well as improving community policing in the area."

"The reopening of our precinct in Maple Valley is great news for the residents of south King County," said Sheriff John Urquhart. "The Hicks-Raburn Precinct is closer to the people we are sworn to protect, and it doubles as a valuable community resource for ceremonies and events. I couldn't be happier with the Executive's decision to include it in his 2014 budget."

The precinct, which served the southeastern portion of King County, was closed two years ago as part of a new deployment approach for the sheriff's office. Sheriff Urquhart requested that it be reopened because alternative facilities, including holding cells, have not been available in the area.

The Executive's proposed budget provides $655,556 to fund a capital project to reopen the Maple Valley precinct and update building systems. A second proposed capital project would relocate the Sheriff's Special Operations Unit to the same facility. Upon reopening, the precinct will be rededicated to the memory of Sgt. Samuel Hicks and Det. Michael Raburn, two officers killed in the line of duty in separate incidents in 1982 and 1984.

The Executive's proposed budget also restores four uniformed officers – three new patrol deputies and a sergeant – and provides for a public records manager, to ensure the Sheriff's Office can provide timely and complete responses to public records requests.

Executive Constantine will present his 2014/2015 Proposed Budget to the Metropolitan King County Council on September 23.