Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank under state investigation over controversial social media posts

After Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank posted a series of social media posts, including ones that sparked controversy regarding transgender people and gun ownership, the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) announced it is investigating the sheriff’s office’s social media regulations.

Today I received a complaint from the Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) regarding my social media posts that if true can invoke RCW 43.101.105 (decertify me). This is what the left does to shut people up. I won’t be silenced.

— Sheriff Keith Swank (@Swank4America) September 6, 2025

“Here’s the policy: I am the Sheriff, and I can say whatever I want,” Swank wrote on X last week.

Last night, a reporter from KIRO sent an email to my PIO wanting to know our social media policy. It’s obvious this person wants to silence me. Here’s the policy: I am the Sheriff, and I can say whatever I want.

— Sheriff Keith Swank (@Swank4America) September 2, 2025

This post came in response to a request for comment regarding the department’s social media policy after he wrote, “Do you think it’s time to ban trans people from owning guns?” on X the night before. Swank wrote this post shortly after the shooter of the recent Minneapolis church shooting that killed two children was identified as transgender.

Swank has previously stated on X that being transgender is a mental health issue.

He followed that post up with open-ended questions over 3D-printed weapons and DUI checkpoints.

There is a significant rise in 3D printed AR style rifles and handguns. Our deputies are running into these often. Should we ban 3D printers?

— Sheriff Keith Swank (@Swank4America) September 3, 2025

Do you think we should have DUI checkpoints? How about lowering the BAC limit from .08 to .05?

— Sheriff Keith Swank (@Swank4America) September 4, 2025

“I think they’re trying to say I violated a policy and I should be held accountable, which is really funny because who holds me accountable other than the voters?” Swank asked on “The Jason Rantz Show” on Seattle Red 770 AM in defense of his social media. “They can un-elect me if they want to, but the fact of the matter is, the buck stops with me. I’m the one who makes the final decision about it.”

Swank has also used his X account, which has more than 20,000 followers, to criticize Seattle’s Target Zero plan while also calling Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell a “buffoon.”

The WSCJTC issued a statement regarding its investigation into Swank’s social media to KOMO News.

“Sheriff Swank is the subject of three Certification cases – two initiated by complaint and one initiated by a notice of an initial disciplinary decision from his former employer, Seattle PD,” the WSCJTC stated. “They are all in intake or intake review (i.e., not yet assigned to an investigator). If misconduct within the certification statute is proven by a preponderance of the evidence, penalties can include revocation of certification, suspension of certification, probation, and/or retraining.”

KIRO hosts react to Swank’s social media presence

KIRO fill-in host Angela Poe Russell criticized coverage of Swank’s controversial comments.

“Why are we covering Swank? That’s my question. I go back to 2015, and he would say all these outrageous, offensive, rude, disrespectful, inappropriate things. And the media kept covering it, thinking it was funny because he would never be elected, and it made him into this cult hero,” Poe Russell said on “The Gee and Ursula Show” last week. “People were like, ‘He just says what’s on his mind. He’s not thinking. He’s just shooting from the hip. He’s being authentic. He’s being real.’ And somehow that made him qualified for public office.”

“The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio has long disagreed with Swank’s policies and practices on social media. In July, Swank joined the show for a near-40-minute interview after one of his senior officers was arrested for suspected DUI and vehicular assault. During the interview, he accused both KIRO hosts Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin of having “Swank derangement syndrome.”

“No other sheriff in this state acts this way,” Gee said. “By the way, I’ve talked to some people with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, and he’s an embarrassment. But do we just ignore it? Do you think that would be better? Because the interesting thing is, and I’m not saying you’re wrong, but if you go to his comments, 90% of the comments are backing him. Ninety percent of the people are really encouraged by what he’s saying. They love that he’s saying this.”

Swank defeated his opponent, Patti Jackson, in the race for Pierce County sheriff last year by nearly 8,000 votes. He is up for reelection in 2028.

“As far as him coming out and saying and asking a question, ‘Hey, is it time to maybe think about banning trans folks from owning guns?’ That is favorable for some people,” Gee continued. “Imagine right now if I were to jump on social media again. I am not saying this, but when I look at a post like that from him on X, that would be like me getting on X and asking a question, ‘Hey, should priests be banned from being alone with children?’ Now imagine if I said something dumb like that. By the way, I’m just giving you an example of how outrageous that would be. Dumb, right? I’m just a radio host. Imagine if I were the sheriff.”

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