King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall completes police academy, calls it an ‘invaluable’ experience

BURIEN, Wash. — King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall celebrated her law enforcement academy graduation on Tuesday.

King County Executive Dow Constantine was one of several county officials who were at the graduation ceremony for Cole-Tindall and the other graduates of the basic law enforcement certification program in Burien.

Cole-Tindall went through the state police academy years ago but has since been in and out of law enforcement throughout her career.

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She said going through the 720 hours of training alongside much younger classmates was a challenge. But the 58-year-old told KIRO 7 she was grateful for the opportunity to get updated, contemporary training.

“I am so overwhelmed by just the fact that it’s over and I finished completing the academy at my age ... The next oldest person to my age was 34, so quite an age gap” said Cole-Tindall. “I feel that it’s been invaluable. It helps me to understand the work, and so I’m excited to go out and apply some of the things that I’ve learned.”

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