WATCH: Pierce County continues debate on controversial sheriff's office changes

Proposal C-1 seeks to change the Pierce County Sheriff from an elected position to an appointed position selected by the County Executive, while setting specific professional qualifications.

Another hotly debated proposal would create an independent sheriff ombudsman to handle and investigate community complaints regarding the sheriff's department.

The commission held a rare weekend meeting on Saturday morning June 13 to provide the public with an opportunity to testify to the amendments. A minimum number of public meetings are required ahead of the commission making a final decision on the amendments before the end of June.

Members had to abruptly cancel a planned meeting last Wednesday due to lack of appropriate notice for the gathering, prompting the Saturday meeting. 

The majority of those who spoke Saturday told commissioners they oppose amendments to change the office of the sheriff.

“Who do you think you are? The mindset to think that you’re superior to the people that know how to vote. We’re just as intelligent as you are. We have a moral compass just as you do. Why would you do that to the people of Pierce County?” asked Pierce County resident Valerie Harpwell.

“I was wondering, if there's any cost analysis on all this stuff that can be on the ballot? Because if enough stupid voters from Seattle moved to Pierre County, this stuff can pass,” said Ken Paulson who also attended the Saturday meeting.

“Pierce County doesn't have money to burn. Hopefully, we won't have another tax increase.”

Vicky Tamara spoke in support of the sheriff’s office amendments.

“I just want to make sure that we have some oversight,” she said urging members to adopt C-30, to create an ombudsman office for the sheriff.

Commissioner Holly Rogge, one of the conservative members of the 21-member commission told the Center Square she believes progressive members likely have the votes to push forward as many of some 20 proposals that they want to put before voters.

She has major concerns about changing the office of the sheriff.

“Especially in unincorporated Pierce County, we really rely on our sheriff, and we really want him to be independent and not have a political agenda. By making that position appointed, that position becomes politicized by whoever the executive is at that moment,” said Rogge.

Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank did not attend Saturday’s public meeting but plans to attend Monday’s meeting.

He told The Center Square that after last week’s public gathering, two people filed complaints against him with the Criminal Justice Training Commission.

“They complained about my speech and about what I said at the commission, calling it hate speech,” Swank said explaining the complaints referenced him saying he would not use people’s pronouns, even if voters were to approve an amendment concerning anti-discrimination language.

Proposal C-36 is the primary amendment under consideration directly impacting LGBTQ+ rights.  It covers non-discrimination, to modernize the language used.

“This is a tactic the left uses," Swank said. "They think if they file these complaints or send these emails, probably because they’re used to people going, ‘oh my gosh, please forgive me. I won't say that again.’ But I'm just the opposite. I'm going to double down and speak more.”

“The people want the sheriff to be elected. The people on the commission want to make it an appointed position. Normal people think that’s crazy. Democracy means we get to vote on it, right? And you're taking democracy away and you're actually trying to make the executive a king.  So yeah, people are upset about it and they're pushing back,” he added.

The sheriff told The Center Square it’s not just conservatives pushing back against the proposals.

“A lot of Democrats who did not vote for me don’t want this. They don't have to like me. I want them to vote for their sheriff also.”

Among the other amendments being considered are two proposals concerning the initiative signature gathering process. One would shift the petition signature threshold to 10% of average voter turnout over the past four general elections, rather than 10% of the last individual Executive race.

Another would adjust explicit procedures, deadlines, and tracking systems utilized for collecting public initiative signatures.

There could be final action on some of the amendments Monday night, or further action could be taken later this week and on June 22.

The commission requires a majority of 11 votes to send any proposal to the November General Election ballot.

Monday’s meeting is at 6pm in the Annex Building at 2401 S. 35th Street Tacoma, WA 98409. To access Zoom meeting links to follow the final voting process, click here.