Federal funding could bring new de-escalation tools to Chelan County Sheriff’s Office

CHELAN COUNTY — A federal funding package moving through Congress could bring new de-escalation tools to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, aimed at making law enforcement encounters safer for deputies and the public.

The funding is part of a slate of Community Project Funding requests included in spending bills recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Kim Schrier announced last week that five projects across the 8th Congressional District were included in the package. The Senate is now working on its version of the bills ahead of a Jan. 30 deadline to avoid a federal government shutdown.

One of the five projects is a request from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office for a “Less Lethal Solutions for Law Enforcement De-escalation Program,” focused on expanding the tools deputies have available when verbal de-escalation alone is not sufficient.

According to the project description, the program would support the integration of additional less-lethal options, including alternative restraint methods designed to reduce the risk of injury to both officers and people being taken into custody, as well as the use of tasers in situations where de-escalation efforts fall short. The goal is to reduce the likelihood that encounters escalate to the point where deadly force is used, while also improving safety for deputies responding to volatile or unpredictable situations.

Sheriff Mike Morrison said the funding comes at a critical moment for the agency.

“This funding is both timely and critically important,” Morrison said. “First and foremost, we are appreciative of the funding our taxpayers have provided to our agency to date. We understand these funds do not come easily, and we do not take that support for granted.”

Morrison said the county continues to face significant financial challenges that have limited its ability to fully fund the sheriff’s office at the level needed to meet expanding operational, training, and compliance requirements.

“At the same time, there has been a strong push, both statewide and nationally, emphasizing the importance of de-escalation in modern law enforcement,” he said. “It has been imperative for this administration to actively pursue funding opportunities to ensure our deputies have the necessary tools and resources they rely on daily to safely and effectively serve the community.”

He noted that similar funding was used in the past to purchase body cameras.

“De-escalation is a critical component of contemporary policing,” Morrison said. “These tools and the associated training allow deputies to slow situations down, reduce the likelihood of force, and improve outcomes for everyone involved, deputies, victims, and community members alike.”

He said the proposed funding would help close a gap between training and equipment.

“This funding again helps fill an important gap by better aligning available equipment with the de-escalation and patrol tactics training deputies already receive,” Morrison said.

Despite limited resources, he said the sheriff’s office remains committed to meeting state requirements.

“Many of these mandates are unfunded at the state level, which continues to push law enforcement agencies statewide to identify alternative funding sources in order to remain compliant,” Morrison said. “That is what this administration has worked to do since day one, responsibly pursue funding opportunities to meet unfunded mandates while continuing to provide effective, professional public safety services to our communities.”

Community Project Funding allows members of Congress to request federal funding for specific local projects identified by cities, counties, and public agencies. In this case, the de-escalation program was requested by the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office itself.

While the House has approved the package, the funding is not final. The Senate must still pass its version of the spending bills and reach agreement with the House before they reach the president’s desk, after which the money would be awarded.

The Chelan County proposal is one of five districtwide projects included in the package. The others include wastewater infrastructure in Carbonado, body-worn cameras for the Issaquah Police Department, a new water reservoir in Covington, and upgrades to a King County Sheriff’s Office rescue helicopter.

For Chelan County residents, the practical impact, if the funding is finalized, would be a sheriff’s office with more options for handling crisis situations, particularly those involving mental health issues, substance use, or extreme emotional distress — scenarios where time, space, and alternatives to force can make a critical difference.