When Tim Fitzgerald took over as Spokane County Clerk in 2014, the office was still taking payments only by cashier’s check, money order, or cash. Documents had to be uploaded manually. The court computer system was decades old, and a domestic violence protection order could take an entire day to show up in police databases after being filed. More than a decade later, Fitzgerald is stepping away from what’s now the second-busiest office in county government, having spent his tenure dragging it into the modern era. Spokane County, anchored by the city of the same name and home to more than 550,000 residents in Eastern Washington, is also mid-transition on its Board of County Commissioners structure. Here’s how the county’s administration, jail, courts, and sheriff’s office actually work.
Spokane County Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
| County Seat | Spokane, Washington |
| Population | Over 550,000 |
| Governing Body | Board of County Commissioners — now 5 members (previously 3) |
| Sheriff | John Nowels, in office since January 2023 |
| Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency Line | 509-456-2233 |
| Main Jail Facility | Spokane County Detention Services, 1100 W. Mallon Ave, Spokane, WA 99260 |
| County Clerk | Tim Fitzgerald, retiring after this term |
| Court System | Spokane County Superior and District Courts |
| Time Zone | Pacific Time (PT), observes Daylight Saving Time |
A County Board Undergoing Structural Change
Spokane County’s Board of County Commissioners recently expanded from three members to five, following a 2018 Washington State Legislature mandate requiring the change along with a shift to district-based rather than county-wide elections for each seat. The 2026 election cycle is the first in which this new structure fully takes effect, with two of the five seats up for election alongside several other countywide offices, including Sheriff, Treasurer, Auditor, Assessor, and Prosecutor — three of which are open seats this cycle.
A few structural basics:
- The Board of County Commissioners handles general administration and budget from downtown Spokane
- The Sheriff, County Clerk, Auditor, Treasurer, and Prosecuting Attorney are independently elected constitutional officers
- Spokane County’s judicial positions are officially non-partisan, meaning party affiliations don’t appear on the ballot for judges, unlike most other county offices here
The Sheriff’s Office: A Staffing Turnaround
John Nowels has served as Spokane County Sheriff since January 2023, after more than 26 years with the department, winning election in 2022 with nearly 58% of the vote. He holds a BA in Criminal Justice from Eastern Washington University, a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from the University of Oklahoma, and graduated from the FBI National Academy in 2016.
One notable achievement from his tenure: Nowels led an effort that closed a vacancy rate of more than 40 open positions down to zero within 18 months — a genuinely significant staffing turnaround for a department of this size. He also completed a Real Time Crime Center project and expanded professional training programs. He currently sits on several community boards, including the Spokane County Behavioral Health Advisory Board and the Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Board.
The Sheriff’s Office’s core responsibilities include:
- Patrol and law enforcement across unincorporated Spokane County
- Coordination with Detention Services on jail-related matters
- Emergency Management functions, coordinating resources to minimize the impact of major emergencies and disasters
- Civil process and court security functions
Because the City of Spokane and Spokane Valley run their own police departments — the Spokane Valley Police Department operates under its own police chief — the Sheriff’s Office’s direct patrol focus centers on unincorporated county areas.
Detention Services: A Separate County Department
Jail operations in Spokane County are run by Detention Services, a distinct county department rather than a direct arm of the Sheriff’s Office, located at 1100 W. Mallon Avenue in Spokane. The department describes its mission as managing safe, secure, humane, and fiscally responsible institutions for inmate housing and programming.
For anyone trying to locate someone in custody:
- Browse the current inmate roster directly through Spokane County’s official website
- A public Detention Services Dashboard is also available for broader facility data
- Lobby hours begin at 7 a.m. — confirm current hours before visiting in person
- For information not listed on the county site, call the law enforcement help line at 509-477-5980
- Booking information typically takes a few hours to post after an arrest
The County Clerk’s Office and a Major Leadership Transition
Tim Fitzgerald, a 30-year Marine veteran, has led the County Clerk’s office since being appointed in 2014, overseeing what county officials describe as the second-busiest office in county government. His tenure included a genuine technological overhaul — introducing electronic filing, modernizing payment systems, and dramatically speeding up how quickly critical documents like protection orders reach police databases. He’s not seeking reelection this cycle, with Republican candidate Dave Lucas among those filing to succeed him.
A few practical points:
- Case records can generally be checked online through Washington State’s court system before an in-person visit
- Confirm whether your matter falls under Superior Court or District Court before filing
- Self-help resources exist for people representing themselves, though staff cannot provide legal advice
- Given the upcoming leadership transition at the Clerk’s office, confirm current contact information and procedures as the office changes hands
Before You Visit
- Bring valid, government-issued photo ID to any county building, courthouse, or Detention Services facility
- Confirm whether your matter falls under the Sheriff’s Office or Detention Services, since these are functionally separate departments here
- Downtown Spokane parking near county administrative buildings and courts can be limited on weekdays
- Call the law enforcement help line at 509-477-5980 for questions not answered by the county’s standard contact listings
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do I find out if someone is in Spokane County custody?
Browse the current inmate roster through Spokane County’s official Detention Services page, or call the law enforcement help line at 509-477-5980 if the information you need isn’t listed online. Detention Services operates as a distinct department from the Sheriff’s Office.
Q2. Does the Spokane County Sheriff cover the City of Spokane?
No. The City of Spokane and Spokane Valley each operate their own police departments — Spokane Valley through its own police chief — while the Sheriff’s Office focuses on unincorporated county areas.
Q3. Who is currently the Spokane County Clerk, and is that changing soon?
Tim Fitzgerald has served as Clerk since 2014 and is not seeking reelection this cycle, with candidates including Dave Lucas filing to succeed him. Given this transition, confirm current staff and procedures directly with the Clerk’s office rather than relying on older contact information.
Q4. Why did Spokane County’s Board of Commissioners change from three to five members?
A 2018 Washington State Legislature mandate required Spokane County to expand its Board from three at-large commissioners to five district-based commissioners, with the 2026 election cycle being the first in which this structure is fully in effect. Confirm which district represents your specific area if that’s relevant to your situation.
