1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to vote in support of SB 5974 to modernize and strengthen the requirements for county sheriffs. As a resident of Pierce County, a member of the Washington Air National Guard, and a veteran of the Active Duty Air Force, I have spent my entire adult life in organizations defined by rigorous standards. During my time as an instructor at the U.S. Air Force Security Forces Academy, I was responsible for training the next generation of defenders. We taught young Airmen that authority is not inherent; it is grounded in competence, discipline, and an unwavering adherence to regulations. It is baffling and disheartening that we currently demand more certified training and accountability from a young Airman guarding a gate than we do from the highest law enforcement officer in our county. The dangers of this double standard were made terrifyingly clear during the recent Senate Law & Justice Committee hearing. Watching Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank openly threaten state legislators—asking "Are you prepared?" and implying that "thousands" of people would physically resist lawful oversight—was a shock to my conscience. This is not the conduct of a disciplined public servant; it is the behavior of an unchecked political actor who believes he is above the democratic process. SB 5974 is a necessary safeguard. By requiring background checks, minimum experience, and adherence to professional certifications, we ensure that sheriffs possess the baseline temperament and respect for the rule of law necessary to keep us safe. Furthermore, these standards protect the departments themselves. The professional deputies I have encountered in the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department deserve a leader who acts with stability and honor, not one who uses his platform to issue threats against other elected officials. Please pass SB 5974 to ensure that our sheriffs are qualified professionals who respect the standards they are sworn to uphold.