King counties is appointed, not elected, charter change 2020. I assume that changes the power of a 'sheriff'
It does not change the actual legal authority/power.
What it does change is the King County Sheriff is now a political puppet at the behest of the County Council and County Executive. Elected Sheriff's can speak their own mind, state their opinions, etc. because they are elected officials. Appointed Sheriff's cannot because they are appointed and can be terminated at any point. The same goes for city police Chiefs, they too are political puppets for the Mayor/City Council.
