A proposal moving through the Pierce County Charter Review Commission would create a new Sheriff Ombuds office, described by supporters as an independent oversight role with subpoena power, a dedicated budget, and a four-year term, landing in the middle of an already fractious relationship between County Executive Ryan Mello and Sheriff Keith Swank.
The measure, designated Proposal C-30, cleared its first reading May 27 and is scheduled for a second reading before the 21-member commission, which has until June 29 to decide which charter amendments to forward to the November 2026 ballot. It is sponsored by Commissioners Sarah Lantz, Justin Leighton, Lykins, Troy Serad, and Kate Ginn.
If approved by voters, C-30 would add a new section to Article 3 of the county charter establishing an “executive department of Sheriff Ombuds” charged with providing “independent oversight of the executive department of Sheriff and its employees.” The office would have authority, funding, and staffing to monitor the Sheriff’s Office and the power to issue subpoenas “subject to the same limits that apply to court-issued subpoenas.” Under the proposal, the Sheriff’s Office would be required to cooperate “fully and in good faith” and provide records, witnesses, and information outside the standard Public Records Act request process. The ombuds would publish findings and recommendations and refer complaints to the appropriate legal or investigatory authorities…