King County Councilwoman Julia Patterson, D-SeaTac, last week praised the final report of the Sheriff's Blue Ribbon Panel.

The 35-page report on problems of training, supervision and discipline within the King County Sheriff's Office and how to correct them was released to county council members on Sept. 11.

It also noted there was "no evidence of corruption ... or widespread misconduct" in the sheriff's office.

Both Burien and SeaTac contract for city police services with the sheriff's office, which also provides law enforcement in the North Highline unincorporated area.

Patterson, who has been working with Councilman Bob Ferguson, a fellow Democrat, on legislation for independent oversight of the sheriff's office and the handling of citizen complaints, indicated they will now incorporate recommendations made by the 10-member panel in their proposal.

She and Ferguson also spearheaded the council's call in January for establishment of the blue ribbon panel, whose members subsequently were appointed by King County Executive Ron Sims.

King County Sheriff Sue Rahr said, "This is going to assist me in taking the sheriff's office to the next level.

Rahr, who was elected in November 2005, added, "I am committed to having independent oversight" of the sheriff's office.

She was first appointed to the office after former Sheriff Dave Reichert resigned when he was elected to Congress in 2004.

"I am very grateful for the extremely diligent work of the panel," Rahr said. "Because of their thoroughness and objectivity the public can be reassured by their findings....

"The report of the blue ribbon panel and their outside, objective assessment will enable me to make important improvements in the organization. There are already many initiatives underway and this report will serve as a guidepost for me, the council, and the public as we move forward."

Key recommendations of the blue ribbon panel include:

Increasing the ratio of sergeants in the field to deputies to improve supervision.

Staffing all precincts with commanders on duty at least 18 hours a day.

Increasing the number of staff in the Internal Investigations Unit to expedite a thorough and timely completion of investigations.

Creating an Office of Independent Oversight, and an Inspectional Services Unit to evaluate and oversee policies, procedures, practices, and performance.

But King County Executive Ron Sims said implementing all of the panel's recommendations, at an estimated cost of close to $5 million a year, will be financially impossible.

"Some of those we can afford. Some we cannot," Sims said.

Noting that she has the advantage of being elected by the voters like the county executive, rather than being appointed, Rahr countered that she will take the case for full funding to the county council.

"The report of the panel acknowledges the efforts of the men and women of the sheriff's office," Patterson observed.

"But it is also clear that changes must be made to increase transparency in the complaint process and restore the public's trust that legitimate concerns will be thoroughly investigated.

"This report complements our proposed legislation," she continued. "The result should be legislation that will present clear guidelines on how we will investigate complaints against law enforcement."

Late last week, Council Chairman Larry Phillips, also a Democrat, floated a rival proposal for oversight of the sheriff's office, which drew a swift rebuke from Patterson and Ferguson.

"This report complements our proposed legislation," said Patterson. "We have an opportunity to integrate the ideas of a much-respected panel...."

She also met with the Rahr's chief of staff last week to draft a proposal incorporating the panel's recommendations that the sheriff will support.