Ed Troyer: Pierce County not in defunding police mode, but supplementing

Ed Troyer won over Cyndie Fajardo in the race for Pierce County Sheriff, a vote which occurred in the wake of Paul Pastor’s recent retirement after reaching his term limit.

Troyer joined the Dori Monson Show on KIRO Radio to discuss how he plans to serve, including the defund movement and the challenges of changing roles as detective to sheriff.

“Well, I’ve worked in our command staff for the last 19 years under Paul Pastor. His office has been 10 yards away from mine. And so I’m very, very versed in the department, what our needs are. We do a lot of things really, really well, and there’s some things that we can do better. And there are some things that we’re gonna have to learn with the changing dynamics of what public wants from law enforcement,” Troyer said.

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“We’re fortunate enough down here in Pierce County, where instead of defunding and losing people, we’re actually hiring people. And thanks to our county executive and our council, we’re hiring 28 men and women. And we’re thanking Seattle for sending very well-trained, very well-versed people. They’re ready to hit the streets. Unfortunately, that’s bad for Seattle, but good for us.”

Ed Troyer began his career in patrol, was promoted to detective, and later was appointed the Public Information Officer by Sheriff Pastor, who he worked alongside for years and recently received his endorsement. Troyer has also been the executive director of the Crime Stoppers program and the Washington State Gambling Commissioner.

He says the department in Pierce County is not in defunding mode, but supplementing police response with other options like social workers.

“We are talking about supplementing, supplementing social workers, supplementing addiction specialists, and when we find people in peril, and in need, try and get them the help they need and try and get them other services while our people can still do police work, which they signed up to do,” he said.

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“We have proven networks with our co-responder program. We have five mental health workers that are embedded with our deputies and have been going out on calls for over a year, and they’ve deescalated many, many volatile situations. I’m looking forward to enhancing those programs and doing some other things as we move forward and putting the next command staff in place, they will be ready to take over for the future.”

Listen to the Dori Monson Show weekday afternoons from noon – 3 p.m. on KIRO Radio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.