Stricter standards for Washington sheriffs approved in state Senate [View all]

The Washington state Senate approved legislation Thursday to set stricter eligibility standards for sheriffs and other police leadership, weeks after a sheriff’s comments on the bill left some lawmakers feeling threatened.

The contentious measure also looks to give the state a path to remove elected sheriffs from office if they don’t meet the new requirements and limit the use of “posses” of police volunteers that some sheriffs deploy.

After roughly two hours of debate, Senate Bill 5974 passed on a party-line 30-19 vote, with no Republican support. Democrats say it’s a necessary measure to hold sheriffs and chiefs accountable and help build public confidence in police.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. John Lovick, is a former Snohomish County sheriff and longtime state trooper. He noted other states, including Texas and Georgia, have passed similar legislation. He said he thinks the bill will “continue the positive and productive law enforcement culture in our state.”

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/02/12/stricter-standards-for-wa-sheriffs-approved-in-state-senate/