Pierce County sheriff’s comments may get him kicked out of statewide police group

Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank is no stranger to controversy.

But now, a leading police group in Washington is considering expelling him from its ranks over comments to state lawmakers.

On Thursday morning, the Senate Law and Justice Committee held a hearing on SB 5974, a measure billed as “modernizing” law enforcement standards by creating eligibility requirements for police chiefs, marshals, and sheriffs, among other things. It would also give the Criminal Justice Training Commission more oversight of police agencies by removing elected sheriffs from office if the commission revokes its law enforcement certification.

The committee also held an executive session on SB 5855, which would ban the use of face coverings and masks used by law enforcement in most circumstances.

“Some of my colleagues naively believe that they can come here and reason with you,” Swank began.

He said the legislature wants more accountability but won’t do it for their own ranks.

“Some say they finally have a voice because of me. And you want to silence it because I said transgender women are men. I said the truth,” Swank said.

Swank was alluding to social media posts last year that prompted an investigation by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.

Swank could be removed from office if bill passes

If SB 5974 is passed in its current form, Swank — who was elected — could be removed from office by the commission if their investigation resulted in de-certification.

“Just for the record, my deputies don’t wear masks. But once you pass this mask that they can’t, I will not only allow them, but I will encourage them to do so just to see what you will do,” Swank said. “I don’t recognize your authority to impose these controls over me. And when you try to remove me from office, thousands of Pierce County residents will surround the County City Building in downtown Tacoma and will not allow that to happen. I hope it doesn’t come to that. But they are prepared. Are you prepared?”

He expanded his comments on X, calling the legislature “evil.”

Those statements caught the attention of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC). Shortly after, they released a statement saying the comments went “beyond reasonable dialogue” and that “all public servants are subject to their oaths of office and the rule of law.”

The statement also said WASPC will initiate the necessary proceedings to consider expelling Swank.

KIRO Newsradio reached out to WASPC for additional comment. A spokesperson declined.

Swank did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Read more of Jillian Raftery’s stories here.