SPOKANE, Wash – A western Washington sheriff says he doesn’t believe lawmakers can tell him what to do and his comments are sparking controversy with other sheriffs in the state.
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels says the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs will consider expelling Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank.
The recommendation comes in light of comments Sheriff Swank made before the Senate Law and Justice Committee Thursday.
The hearing was about modernizing laws regarding sheriffs and police chiefs in the state, which has been opposed by many in law enforcement.
Sheriff Swank was testifying in opposition to the bill when he went on the attack, saying Democrats wouldn’t consent to background checks because they have “convicted felons who are elected officials here.”
“You’re trying to silence me because I said transgender women are men,” he said.
He then addressed the committee about another bill being proposed in the legislature, which would ban law enforcement officers from wearing masks except under certain conditions like undercover or SWAT assignments.
“Just for the record, my deputies don’t wear masks, but once you pass this law that they can’t, I would not only allow them, but I would encourage them to do so, just to see what you would do,” Sheriff Swank said. “I don’t recognize your authority to impose these controls over me.”
Sheriff Nowels is president of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.
He issued a statement after Swank’s remarks, saying “The scope of his testimony went beyond reasonable dialogue and devolved into what could be perceived as threatening to legislators and he challenged their constitutional authority.”
“The manner in which he conducted himself was not in line with the professional behavior we expect of members.”
Sheriff Nowels said the WASPC will proceed to consider expelling Swank from the association.
Sheriff Swank responded on Twitter/X saying “This is what happens when you don’t tow [sic] the party line.”
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