Thurston County judge permanently blocks key parts of state sheriff standards law; state will appeal

A case decided in Olympia's own courthouse will shape who can serve as sheriff across Washington.

On Friday, Oct. 2, Thurston County Superior Court Judge Christine Schaller permanently blocked the most controversial parts of Senate Bill 5974, a new law setting job standards for county sheriffs, the Washington State Standard reported. A formal written order is expected later this month.

What the law did. Passed by Democrats this year and signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson, the law would have required sheriffs to meet the same minimum standards as appointed police chiefs: at least five years of law enforcement experience, no felony or gross misdemeanor convictions, at least 25 years old, and no history that would get a peace officer's certification revoked. Failing those standards or losing state certification would have been grounds for removal, with county officials appointing a replacement. Today, recall is the only way voters can remove a sheriff mid-term.

Schaller had temporarily blocked much of the law April 29, the day before it took effect, so this year's sheriff elections went ahead without the new requirements.

The arguments. A dozen sheriffs and the Washington State Sheriffs' Association challenged the law as state overreach. Their attorney, Mark Lamb, said the remedy for elected officials saying things people dislike "is not to have a commission that is able to remove them from office." Assistant Attorney General Kristen Valore said the law ensures "county sheriffs meet the same basic qualifications as other law enforcement leaders in the state."

What's next. Attorney general's office spokesperson Mike Faulk said the state will appeal. The ruling does not appear to block other parts of the law dealing with police chief standards and law enforcement volunteers.