Specialized police services such as SWAT, Drug Enforcement , Air Support, Bomb Disposal , Canine and Marine Unit services may be selected as base level services, or the city can opt to have these services available on a callout basis. Every city within King County has access to these services on a call-out basis. Cities can have a strong voice and participate in selecting their personnel.
Cities can also set the direction and tone of police priorities for their community.
Additionally, the city determines what their police staffing levels will be. Several cities have elected to provide officers with office space at City Hall to promote a close working relationship with the officers. A Police Oversight Committee, which embodies the partnership between contract cities and King County provides a forum for communications necessary to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship and ensure that services evolve to meet the contract city's ongoing and unique needs. Cities can also augment regular police services with additional officers. Costs are shared between unincorporated King County and contract cities, reducing the impact of administration, operation, specialization and equipment.