Metropolitan King County Councilmembers Julia Patterson, Bob Ferguson and Kathy Lambert have declared their bipartisan support for Chief Deputy Steve Strachan to succeed Sue Rahr as King County sheriff by introducing a motion today naming Strachan as the appointee.

“When it comes to public safety, consistency in command is vital,” said Councilmember Patterson, prime sponsor of the motion. “The immediate appointment of Chief Deputy Strachan ensures a clear chain of command until the voters make their choice in November.”

“During this transition, it is important to have a sheriff who is an effective operational leader and has established positive working relationships within the County,” said Ferguson. “I have worked closely with Chief Deputy Strachan on issues such as combating gang violence, services for the mentally ill in our criminal justice system, and implementing civilian oversight of the Sheriff’s Office. He will serve the residents of King County well.”

“I look forward to welcoming Chief Deputy Strachan as King County’s interim sheriff next month,” said Councilmember Lambert, chair of the Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee. “I am particularly interested in the strategic plan he has developed for coordinating the many regional as well as local law enforcement and investigative functions of the Sheriff’s Office. I also look forward to increased collaboration with our 12 contract cities as we provide them with the best possible service.”

Sheriff Rahr announced she would be resigning her post effective March 31 to take a position as director of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. Rahr appointed Chief Deputy Steve Strachan to serve as interim sheriff. Under the King County Charter, the council is responsible for appointing a new sheriff until the vacancy has been filled at the next general election in November.

Strachan was appointed as Chief Deputy of the King County Sheriff’s Office in 2011 after serving five years as Kent’s Police chief. He previously was chief of police in Lakeville, Minn., where he had been an administrative sergeant, detective, school resources Officer, SWAT team leader, DARE officer and patrol officer. He also worked as a jail deputy for the Sheriff’s Office in Carver County, Minn.