Civil Service Commission Resources

The King County Civil Service Commission is a quasi-judicial body helps ensure that employment decisions in the King County Sheriff's Office are consistent with civil service rules. The commission hears appeals from displinary actions such as the removal, suspension, demotion, or discharge of classified employees. The commission then affirms, reverses, or modifies these actions.

Civil service rules

Recruitment and selection for the King County Sheriff's Office is conducted according to Civil Service Rules (see Civil Service Rules part 1 (PDF 1 MB) and Civil Service Rules part 2) (PDF 1 MB). RCW 41.14.010 states: “The general purpose of [Civil Service] is to establish a merit system of employment for county deputy sheriffs and other employees of the office of county sheriff, thereby raising the standards and efficiency of such offices and law enforcement in general.” For the King County Sheriff’s Office, the Human Resources Division for King County fulfills the Civil Service function by managing the hiring process for all of our Civil Service positions. Click here to read RCW 41.14.

Civil Service Administration, located in the Human Resources Division, manages the hiring process for most positions in the King County Sheriff’s Office. Civil Service Administration is responsible for the creation and execution of the testing process and will certify the final eligibility list for most positions within the King County Sheriff’s Office.

Appeal Information

Examination appeals must be submitted in writing to the Human Resources Director in accordance with Civil Service Rule 8.6. You can access the Civil Service Rules at the above link, or contact the Civil Service Administrator at 206-205-3440.

Appointment appeals must be submitted in writing to the Human Resources Director in accordance with Civil Service Rule 10.14. You can access the Civil Service Rules at the above link, or contact the Civil Service Administrator at 206-205-3440.

Disciplinary appeals/complaints must be submitted in writing to the Civil Service Commission in accordance with Civil Service Rule 14. You can access the Civil Service Rules at the above link, or contact the Civil Service Administrator at 206-205-3440.