Washington Sheriffs Raise Concerns Over New Requirements for Elected Law Enforcement Leaders

Proposed law would set new eligibility rules, allow state commission to decertify and remove elected sheriffs

Mar. 24, 2026 at 6:09am

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A group of Washington sheriffs is urging the governor to veto parts of a new bill that would require county sheriffs and police chiefs to meet new eligibility requirements, including having at least five years of full-time law enforcement experience. The bill would also allow the state's Criminal Justice Training Commission to revoke certification for misconduct, potentially leading to the removal of elected sheriffs from office. Sheriffs argue the measure gives the commission too much power and could stifle the free speech of elected officials.

Why it matters

The proposed law is seen as a threat to the independence and authority of elected sheriffs in Washington. Critics argue it could allow the state to remove sheriffs from office for political reasons and undermine the ability of voters to choose their own law enforcement leaders.

The details

Senate Bill 5974 would require county sheriffs and police chiefs to meet new eligibility requirements, including having at least five years of full-time law enforcement experience. The bill was amended to exempt current sheriffs from the experience provision, but it would still allow the state's Criminal Justice Training Commission to revoke certification for misconduct, potentially leading to the removal of elected officials. Sheriffs argue this gives the commission too much power, as its members are all appointed by the governor.

  • The bill is awaiting the governor's signature to become law.
  • The new requirements would apply to future elections for county sheriff and police chief positions.

The players

Gov. Bob Ferguson

The governor of Washington who is expected to sign the bill into law.

Daniel Garcia

The Pacific County sheriff, a Navy veteran who won office without prior law enforcement experience, would have been decertified if not for an amendment to the bill.

Patti Cole-Tindall

The King County Sheriff, who would have been decertified under the original bill but was exempted by an amendment.

Rick Kuss

A retired U.S. Navy officer and King County Sheriff's deputy since 2023 who appears to be the first casualty of the bill, as his combination of military leadership and active patrol experience would disqualify him from appearing on the ballot.

Ryan Spurling

The Mason County Sheriff, who believes the bill is about politically stifling elected sheriffs and taking away their First Amendment rights.

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What they’re saying

“They're asking what does this mean? Why is it that they're trying to take away our ability to elect or remove a sheriff? It's a big concern because after sheriffs are done, who's next?”

— Ryan Spurling, Mason County Sheriff

“They want to control what sheriffs say. I hear politicians say things that aren't necessarily true all the time, yet they're not necessarily held accountable, but sheriffs are in a different category, according to a lot of people. This bill effectively will mute sheriffs because of the threat of being decertified and removed.”

— Ryan Spurling, Mason County Sheriff

“Nothing has stopped me from my current path forward and doing what I'm doing and continuing campaigning until the day they physically remove me from the ballot for this upcoming election.”

— Rick Kuss, Kitsap County Sheriff's candidate

What’s next

The governor is expected to sign the bill into law, and sheriffs have indicated they may pursue legal challenges to the new requirements.

The takeaway

The proposed law is seen as a threat to the independence and authority of elected sheriffs in Washington, with critics arguing it could allow the state to remove sheriffs from office for political reasons and undermine the ability of voters to choose their own law enforcement leaders.