PORT ANGELES — Clallam County Sheriff Brian King is asking Governor Bob Ferguson to veto portions of a bill he says could undermine voter control over elected sheriffs.
In a letter sent to the governor, King urged a partial veto of sections of Senate Bill 5974 that would allow the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission to effectively remove a sheriff from office if that sheriff loses law-enforcement certification.
King says the commission was created to oversee training and certification standards—not to decide who holds elected office.
The sheriff argues Washington already has systems in place to hold sheriffs accountable through elections or voter recall.
He pointed to recent examples including former Benton County Sheriff Jerry Hatcher, who was recalled by voters, Snohomish County Sheriff Adam Fortney, who lost reelection, and Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza, who was defeated at the ballot box.
King says no other state allows an administrative certification decision to automatically remove a sitting sheriff.
The legislation has passed the state Legislature and now awaits final action from the governor.