A bill that would create stricter eligibility requirements for Washington state sheriffs — and which the Cowlitz County sheriff opposes — is scheduled for a public hearing on Monday.
The change would make the election of sheriffs different than other offices, Sheriff Brad Thurman wrote in a Jan. 16 statement and echoed in a Friday interview.
"It's an extreme fundamental change," said Thurman, who added that he is not running in the November election to retain his position after more than three decades in law enforcement.
Senate Bill 5974 aims to set the same standards for appointed police chiefs and marshals for elected sheriffs, and authorizes a commission to vet and remove unqualified sheriffs.
It is sponsored by Sen. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, a former state trooper for over three decades.
Proponents of the bill argue it creates clearer standards.
Thurman gave a public statement well before the Senate vote — where it passed 30-19 on Feb. 12 — stating his opposition for the bill he said would alter the Washington state Constitution, which lists sheriffs as an elected position.
The bill's public hearing is set two days prior to the cutoff to have the bill heard in the House. If the schedule remains as is, SB 5974 should remain viable past Wednesday.
The bill would require sheriff candidates to meet the same requirements set today for appointed police chiefs and marshals, including being 25 or older, having no felony convictions, having a high school diploma and more.
Those who do not maintain eligibility, including required trainings, would be removed, according to the bill's analysis by the state House.
Thurman, who previously ran as a Republican, said he is against the voters' wishes possibly being sidelined by the Criminal Justice Training Commission, which he said will "bless who can run and .... remove you from office without the vote of the people."
Today the commission sets the rules to certify peace officers and law enforcement, as well as creates trainings for them.
Both the Washington State Sheriffs' Association and the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs issued a statement in opposition of the bill as well.
The Washington State Sheriffs' Association statement says setting such requirements for sheriffs is not needed because all elected Washington state sheriffs enter office as peace officers, or are certified immediately after taking the role.
Notably Pacific County Sheriff Daniel Garcia was elected to office in 2022 without a law enforcement background, though his campaign website says he served 22 years in the Navy.
Garcia, of Naselle, attended the state's police academy after he was elected, according to a 2023 OPB report.
Thurman said he believes it's best for sheriff candidates to have sheriff's office experience, but is still against the "vote of the people being taken away."
If the bill passes, Garcia would not meet the requirement of having five years of law enforcement experience.
Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, said in a statement that the new rule could make Pacific County the bill’s “first victim."
A similar bill, House Bill 1399, did not pass the first cutoff.
