WA Senate Passes Sheriff Standards Bill

- The bill, identified as Senate Bill 5974, passed with a 30-19 party-line vote. All Democrats voted in favor, and all Republicans were opposed, arguing it undermines the will of voters who should be the ones to hire and fire the sheriff. - A key provision of the bill grants the state's Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) the authority to remove sheriffs from office if they are decertified for not meeting eligibility standards or for other misconduct. Opponents argue this gives an unelected board power over an elected official. - Under the proposed law, candidates for sheriff would need at least five years of law enforcement experience. This would disqualify at least one sitting sheriff, Daniel Garcia of Pacific County, who was a naval veteran without prior law enforcement experience when he won office. - The bill's sponsor, Democratic Sen. John Lovick, is a former Snohomish County sheriff and state trooper who says the measure is needed to modernize outdated standards and build public trust. - The legislation also seeks to limit the use of volunteer "posses," which cannot be used to enforce criminal or civil immigration laws, use force, or carry weapons. This is seen as a response to the "constitutional sheriffs" movement, which asserts that a sheriff's authority in their county surpasses state and federal government. - Recent controversies involving sheriffs have fueled the debate, including some who refused to enforce state COVID-19 mandates and gun safety laws. - Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank has been a vocal opponent, stating he would not recognize the state's authority to remove him and that thousands of residents would prevent it from happening. His testimony and comments led the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs to seek his expulsion from their organization.