New Washington Sheriff Standards Law Faces Second Lawsuit

The Washington State Sheriffs' Association and a sheriff candidate file a legal challenge to the new law that aims to hold sheriffs to higher standards.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:25am

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A dynamic, fragmented painting depicting symbols of law and order - a gavel, scales of justice, and a sheriff's badge - in a chaotic, overlapping composition using bold shades of blue, gray, and red, conveying the tension and uncertainty surrounding the new sheriff standards law.The new Washington law aiming to hold sheriffs to higher standards faces legal challenges that could disrupt the state's upcoming elections.Olympia Today

A new Washington state law that seeks to hold county sheriffs to higher standards and allows for their removal from office is facing a second legal challenge. The Washington State Sheriffs' Association and a candidate for Kitsap County sheriff have filed a lawsuit arguing the law improperly shifts power from local voters to an unelected state board.

Why it matters

The law is intended to hold sheriffs and police chiefs to the same standards as rank-and-file officers, with the goal of building more public trust in law enforcement. However, the sheriffs' association sees the law as unconstitutionally taking away power from the people of Washington.

The details

The new law, Senate Bill 5974, requires sheriffs and police chiefs to meet certain criteria, including having at least 5 years of law enforcement experience, no felony or gross misdemeanor convictions, and being at least 25 years old. Sheriffs must also get their certification from the state's Criminal Justice Training Commission within 9 months of taking office. Failure to meet the requirements could result in a sheriff being removed from office.

  • The new law is set to take effect at the end of April 2026, in time for the filing deadline for this year's elections in early May.
  • The separate lawsuit filed in Pend Oreille County could see a court hearing as soon as next week on whether to pause the law during that litigation.

The players

Washington State Sheriffs' Association

The association that represents all 39 sheriffs across the state, almost all of whom are elected.

Rick Kuss

A candidate for Kitsap County sheriff who would not qualify under the new law's requirement to have at least 5 years of law enforcement experience.

Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission

The state agency that will be responsible for certifying sheriffs and making final decisions on decertification through 5-member hearing panels.

Washington State Patrol

The state agency that will be conducting background investigations on all sheriff candidates, with counties footing the bill.

Bob Ferguson

The Governor of Washington who signed the new law.

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What they’re saying

“There's nothing in that law that can be changed to make it palatable. It's an unconstitutional law and it should be stricken from the books.”

— Mark Crider, President, Washington State Sheriffs' Association

“The people's choice is nullified not by the people, not by the courts, and not through constitutional removal processes, but by an executive agency acting under its own rules.”

— Joel Ard, Lawyer representing plaintiffs

“The agency remains committed to carrying out its responsibilities under state law and ensuring accountability, professionalism and public trust in law enforcement certification and training.”

— David Quinlan, Spokesperson, Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission

What’s next

A court hearing on the lawsuit filed by the Washington State Sheriffs' Association and Rick Kuss has not yet been scheduled. A separate lawsuit filed by four eastern Washington sheriffs in Pend Oreille County could see a hearing as soon as next week on whether to pause the new law during that litigation.

The takeaway

This legal challenge highlights the ongoing debate over balancing local control and voter choice with statewide standards for law enforcement leadership. The new law's supporters believe it is necessary to hold sheriffs accountable, while opponents argue it unconstitutionally undermines the will of local voters.