Full Breakdown
King County 911 Audit Highlights Gaps in Behavioral Health Response
2/14/2026, 10:49:27 AM
Overview of the Audit Findings
On February 10, 2024, the King County Auditor's Office released a report evaluating the King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) 911 communication center. The audit found that while the center meets national standards for emergency response, it lacks clear procedures for connecting callers experiencing behavioral health crises to non-police resources. This deficiency has resulted in law enforcement officers often being tasked with making referrals, which can strain limited resources and lead to inadequate follow-up for non-emergency behavioral health calls.
The audit covered operations from 2020 to 2025, focusing on the handling of behavioral health calls, services for vulnerable populations, and staffing challenges. King County's 911 centers manage over 300,000 emergency calls annually, serving both unincorporated areas and 12 contract partners.
Staffing and Operational Challenges
The report highlighted significant staffing shortages, with approximately one in six call receiver and dispatcher positions vacant. This has led to a heavy reliance on mandatory overtime, with compensatory leave contributing to half of the required overtime hours. Additionally, the lack of scheduling software has hindered effective management of personnel, limiting the time available for monitoring call quality.
Leadership continuity has also been a concern, as the center is overseen by a rotating captain rather than a civilian leader with emergency communication experience. This instability has disrupted ongoing initiatives aimed at modernizing responses to behavioral health needs.
Official Responses and Recommendations
Auditor Kymber Waltmunson emphasized the need for improvements, stating, "The Sheriff's Office has committed to taking steps to improve service for vulnerable callers and efficiency of communications center operations." The Auditor's Office made several recommendations, all of which were accepted by the King County Executive and the Sheriff's Office. These include developing clear procedures for non-police responses, enhancing language access for callers, transitioning to civilian leadership, and upgrading scheduling systems.
Criticism and Opposition
Despite the acceptance of the audit's recommendations, some critics argue that the reliance on law enforcement for behavioral health crises is inherently problematic. They contend that the absence of a dedicated non-police response system may lead to unnecessary criminalization of mental health issues and inadequate care for those in crisis.
What's Next
In light of the audit findings, King County officials are expected to implement the recommended changes to improve the 911 communication center's operations and better serve individuals in behavioral health crises. The timeline for these changes remains to be detailed, but the commitment from the Sheriff's Office indicates a proactive approach to addressing these critical gaps in service.
Verbatim Quotes
“The Sheriff's Office has committed to taking steps to improve service for vulnerable callers and efficiency of communications center operations,” — Kymber Waltmunson, Auditor
