Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has signed a new law that sets stricter standards for sheriffs and allows them to be removed from office if they fail to meet them.
Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5974 into law on Wednesday, April 1, establishing new eligibility requirements for sheriffs and police chiefs across the state.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from law enforcement leaders who argue it undermines voters, while supporters say it brings accountability in line with rank-and-file officers.
Under the law, sheriffs must meet minimum qualifications, including at least five years of full-time law enforcement experience, no felony or gross misdemeanor convictions, and eligibility for state certification as a peace officer. They must also be at least 25 years old.
The law also shortens the timeline for certification. Newly elected sheriffs now have nine months to obtain certification from the state Criminal Justice Training Commission if they do not already have it, down from one year.
If a sheriff fails to meet these requirements or loses certification, they must vacate office.
That provision has sparked the most concern among critics, who argue it shifts power away from voters.
“We’ve made our point that this is an unconstitutional piece of legislation that takes away the voters’ right to choose who their elected officials are,” Walla Walla County Sheriff Mark Crider said previously.
Clallam County Sheriff Brian King raised similar concerns in an open letter.
“In reality, it represents a transfer of authority away from voters and into the hands of an appointed commission,” King wrote. “Removing an elected official from office is not an administrative action—it is a democratic one.”
Supporters of the law say it ensures law enforcement leaders meet the same standards required of officers they oversee. They also expect the law to face legal challenges.
The Criminal Justice Training Commission, which oversees certification, uses five-member panels to make final decisions on decertification. Those panels include three civilians and two law enforcement officials.
Currently, removing a sheriff from office typically requires a recall process, which is rarely used and decided by voters. Under the new law, if a sheriff is removed for failing to meet requirements, local officials would appoint a replacement.
Ferguson acknowledged concerns about that process but chose not to veto any portion of the bill.
“It’s a serious step when someone’s being removed from office,” Ferguson said. “I just want to make sure we’re being as thoughtful as possible.”
He added that lawmakers may revisit parts of the law in 2027 to refine how removals are handled.
The legislation also introduces new limits on the role of police volunteers. Starting in January, volunteers will be barred from enforcing criminal laws, engaging in pursuits, using force, carrying weapons, or conducting surveillance. They will still be allowed to assist with administrative and support tasks.
Most provisions of the law take effect at the end of April.
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