Youth violence, drug abuse, use of force. Here’s where Pierce sheriff candidates stand

In less than five weeks Pierce County residents will choose a new sheriff for the first time since 2020. It's the only open sheriff election in the state and one of the most consequential local races.

Voters will begin to make their pick after Oct. 18 when ballots begin to be mailed out. The general election is Nov. 5. They will choose between Patti Jackson, an insider who has served in the Sheriff's Department since 1989, primarily in corrections, and Keith Swank, a department outsider who worked for the Seattle Police Department for 33 years.

Sheriff is a nonpartisan position with a four-year term and is limited to three consecutive terms. They are responsible for providing law enforcement in unincorporated areas of the county as well as for Pierce Transit and contract cities University Place and Edgewood. The sheriff also oversees the county jail.

Swank, 56, is a Puyallup resident who was a Seattle police captain before he retired in 2023. He has made three prior runs for public office as a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, most recently in 2022 when he ran to replace Democratic Rep. Marilyn Strickland — a former Tacoma mayor — to represent Washington's 10th Congressional District. He advanced through the primary but was not elected. Swank also ran for the U.S. Senate in 2018.

Jackson, 59, is a Buckley resident who has been chief of patrol at the Sheriff's Department since January. She previously served as chief of corrections, a position she held for eight years. Before that, Jackson worked in various operational and administrative roles in the corrections bureau. This is her first run for public office.

It likely will be a close race. Just 1,223 votes separated them in the August primary . Swank won 25.1% of the vote in a field of six candidates, and Jackson won 24.48% of the vote.

Whoever is elected will have the responsibility of addressing difficult issues, including violence among young people, which saw a worrying spike last year , as well as high rates of fatal drug abuse, departmental transparency, deputy uses of force and diversity in hiring. The News Tribune asked the candidates to answer questions on each topic.

Youth violence

TNT: Of the 58 homicides across Pierce County last year, seven were people age 25 or under in unincorporated areas of the county, and all seven died of gunshot wounds. What will you do as sheriff to address and prevent violence among youth?

As both a law enforcement officer and a father, nothing makes me more disappointed than youth that waste their lives walking down the path of crime and violence. Youth violence has been spiraling out of control for many reasons, and, as sheriff I will work to fix this. With a little tough love, a multi-faceted approach to crime fighting and prevention always works best.

Career criminals often start young due to bad influences. As sheriff, my priority will be addressing youth violence through a comprehensive approach. We need stronger partnerships with schools, community organizations, and families. Youth outreach programs and mentorship opportunities can provide young people with positive alternatives. Rehabilitation can also happen, and the proper pathways need to become clear and available for those that could be successful. Some states have these programs, and they are remarkably successful.

Weak enforcement can also contribute to this problem as well. Severe or repeated violent acts should be met with swift enforcement and realistic penalties to save innocent lives.

To address and prevent youth violence, I will build on and/or implement several key initiatives, while also acknowledging the legislative challenges that impact our efforts:

Despite these proactive measures, there are legislative challenges that hinder our ability to reduce youth-related and violent crime:

By addressing these legislative challenges and implementing our initiatives, we aim to create a safer environment for our youth and reduce the incidence of violence in our community.

Drug abuse

TNT: Opioid-related overdose is the most common cause of accidental death in Pierce County, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. What do you think the Sheriff Department's role should be in addressing drug abuse?

Manufactured drugs like fentanyl are the most powerful and deadliest drugs ever created. The opioid crisis is devastating the country, and we all have a crucial role to play. We now lose more people to drug overdoses and poisonings yearly than died in the Vietnam War. Many people addicted to drugs also resort to other crimes against innocent citizens to feed their addictions.

The hardest, most devastating drugs are trafficked by highly organized international crime cartels that do their dirty work up and down the I-5 corridor. These criminals are very dangerous. They don't care about the lives they destroy. They only care about bringing in more money.

As the only candidate in this race that has arrested and locked up these kinds of career criminals you have my commitment to treat them as the serious threat that they are. I'll also collaborate with local organizations to expand access to treatment and recovery services.

Furthermore, we need to prioritize the enforcement of drug trafficking laws while ensuring that our efforts also focus on rehabilitation. By addressing the root causes of addiction, we'll work towards reducing overdose deaths and crime in Pierce County.

I will implement a comprehensive approach, aimed to make significant progress in combating drug abuse and enhancing the overall well-being of our community. My strategy will include:

Through these efforts, the Sheriff Department is dedicated to addressing drug abuse, supporting the health and safety of our community, and ensuring that those who engage in criminal activities are held accountable.

De-escalation and use of force

TNT: How will you ensure that Sheriff's Department deputies are proficient in de-escalating tense encounters to avoid unnecessary uses of force?

On July 28, 2006, the phone rang at the 911 emergency response center where I was in command. It was a man committing a mass shooting at the Seattle Jewish Federation where he had taken hostages. At a loss for words the operator turned to me. I then put over 15 years of street smarts I built on patrol to work as we talked down the shooter, convincing him to surrender without harming the hostages.

That tragic event made international news. Afterward, I became a well-known national instructor on de-escalation and crisis intervention to departments nationwide. De-escalation concepts and training can save lives. But there's no replacement for real-world experience and a plan to make those tactics workable.

The public has a clear choice between someone that's a recognized expert in a skill that's crucially vital in law enforcement; and my opposition, who had a 150-14 no-confidence vote , for among other things, not putting these types of life-saving trainings into practice. I'm also the only person in the race that's been a fully sworn law enforcement officer for over 33 years.

Ensuring that deputies are proficient in de-escalating tense encounters continues to be a priority, and I will achieve this through:

By focusing on these areas, we can ensure that our deputies are well-equipped to handle tense situations with professionalism and care.

Transparency and accountability

TNT: How are you going to be transparent and accountable to the public as sheriff?

Law enforcement officers are entrusted with using legal powers to keep our community safe within constitutional bounds. With those legal powers comes responsibility. Part of that basic responsibility is transparency and accountability, which are vital to keeping trust with our great community.

It's essential that the community knows the sheriff's office is held to a higher standard. We will not shy away from swiftly addressing complaints in a meaningful way that brings closure and assurance for citizens and deputies alike.

As the old saying goes, we've got two ears and one mouth for a reason. We will have regular community feedback and insights on our practices. Under my leadership we will have an open-door policy, encouraging citizens to voice their concerns and suggestions.

I will also ensure transparent reporting and communication on departmental activities. We will utilize a wide array of in-person and digital outreach efforts to reach the community.

To build trust and ensure that our Sheriff's Department remains accountable to the community we serve, I will implement and/or continue to practice:

Diversifying staff

TNT: What are your views on the importance of diversifying the racial makeup of the Sheriff's Department in hiring?

Diversity in the county's largest law enforcement agency can be a massive strength. We need all the help we can get solving important cases. A diverse police force can bring valuable perspectives, talents, language fluency, and enhances community relations.

Over my more than 33-year career in law enforcement and the military I've had the privilege to serve with cops and soldiers from all walks of life, races, and cultures. They've had my back, and I've had theirs. I'm honored to have many of their endorsements – to include fellow sheriff candidates PCSD Lieutenant Cyndie Fajardo, and DOD Officer Darin Harris.

I'm proud to announce that if elected, I'll be appointing Lieutenant Fajardo to the position of Undersheriff. She earned this potential appointment not because she's a woman, but because of her strength of character as a law enforcement officer and a leader.

I believe diversifying the racial makeup of the Sheriff's Department is essential. To create a safer, more inclusive, and transparent environment for all residents of Pierce County, we will build on and improve our current hiring and training protocols focusing on:

Inclusive Hiring Practices: Implement hiring practices that promote diversity and inclusivity within the department.

Community Representation: We will strive to ensure our department's staff reflects the diverse communities we serve. We aim to build trust and improve relations between the department and the community by:

Cultural Competency Training: Provide ongoing cultural competency training to all staff to enhance understanding and respect for different backgrounds. This can be achieved by providing training to improve interactions and reduce misunderstandings, such as:

Outreach and Recruitment: With the goal of attracting a wide range of candidates to ensure a diverse workforce, we will actively seek out and encouraging individuals from diverse communities to apply for positions within the department. We can do so through: