Metropolitan King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert, who chairs the council’s Law, Justice and Human Services Committee, has been appointed to a national panel working on criminal justice policies.

Councilmember Lambert, who lives in Redmond, confirmed her appointment earlier this week to the Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee of the National Association of Counties (NACo).

The committee develops national policies and legislative positions for counties on all matters pertaining to criminal justice and public safety systems, including criminal justice planning, law enforcement, courts, corrections, homeland security, community crime prevention, juvenile justice and delinquency prevention, emergency management, fire prevention and control, and civil disturbances.

“It is an honor for me to be invited to serve the residents of King County and Washington State in this capacity,” said Councilmember Lambert, who represents Council District 3 in northeast King County, which also includes parts of Redmond. “I am proud that King County has been a model for advancements in criminal justice policy, particularly in reducing recidivism and jail populations through innovative programs focusing on treatment and recovery, such as Drug Court, Mental Health Court and Community Corrections.”