Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank is raising concerns about a new Washington state bill that would allow for the decertification of sheriffs, arguing the proposal could shift power away from voters and give state officials authority to remove elected law enforcement leaders from office.

Swank addressed the issue while discussing how the legislation could affect the position of county sheriffs across Washington. He said the measure could create a pathway for political authorities to remove sheriffs who were elected by local voters.

“My big concern is it takes away the right of the people to elect their sheriff,” Swank said.

Swank said he believes the bill could be used as a political tool by state officials to influence who serves as sheriff in counties across Washington.

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“This is a weapon used by the Democrats to be able to control the sheriff's Democrats control, as you know, the State House, the State Senate, every statewide elected official is a Democrat,” Swank said. “They control every single thing here in the state, except for sheriffs.”

According to Swank, the legislation would allow state authorities to decertify a sheriff and remove that person from office, after which a replacement could be appointed.

“And now the passage of this bill, they believe they'll be able to control sheriffs. They'll be able to decertify them, remove them from office, appoint the people they want to have in those positions, and then they have complete control over everybody,” Swank said.

Swank also pointed to existing provisions in Washington law that allow law enforcement officers to be decertified under certain circumstances. He said language related to public statements and speech could potentially be used against elected sheriffs.

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“Well, part of the RCW they use to remove officers and deputies from to decertify them and remove them. You know, from having their commission a section that talks about language, about speech, like if you use social media or you give interviews, or you do some speech that they find to be offensive, or things like that,” Swank said.

The sheriff said complaints have already been filed against him with the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission and that the complaints relate to statements he has made publicly.

“Right now, I have five complaints lodged against me with the Criminal Justice Training Commission, and it's all about speech,” Swank said.

Swank said the complaints do not involve allegations of wrongdoing or misconduct within the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.

“There's no malfeasance in my office. I haven't done anything illegal. I don't do anything like that,” Swank said.

He added that his administration has been reviewing past practices within the department and implementing changes where necessary.

“This is the cleanest this sheriff's office has ever been,” Swank said. “We're going back through auditing all kinds of practices that were here before me and fixing them.”

Swank said he believes the complaints against him stem from disagreement with his public comments rather than concerns about his conduct as sheriff.

“But the people who don't like me don't like what I said. They want to silence me,” Swank said. “That's what it's about.”

The sheriff suggested that the controversy surrounding the proposed legislation and the complaints filed against him could draw broader public attention to the issue.

“So it's going to be a big deal. And really, maybe it needs to happen. Maybe we need to have attention brought to this,” Swank said.

He concluded by describing what he believes critics of his statements may attempt to do if the new authority becomes law.

“Saying that Sheriff swank said these words, we don't like it. We're moving him from office,” Swank said.

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