Crosscut Now
Nov. 10, 2021 - Accountability laws hardly affect sheriffs
11/10/2021 | 1m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
New WA police accountability laws hardly affect sheriffs like Ed Troyer.
A law making it easier to decertify problem officers won’t cause elected sheriffs to lose their jobs, as it would for other cops.
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Crosscut Now is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS
Crosscut Now
Nov. 10, 2021 - Accountability laws hardly affect sheriffs
11/10/2021 | 1m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
A law making it easier to decertify problem officers won’t cause elected sheriffs to lose their jobs, as it would for other cops.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship(upbeat music) - Hello, I'm Stephen Hegg in the Crosscut KCTS9 newsroom.
(chill music) - [Stephen] The state legislature passed new laws this year aimed at holding police officers accountable.
But when it comes to elected sheriffs like Pierce County's Ed Troyer, those laws don't quite have the same teeth.
Troyer faces criminal charges for statements he made while calling 911 on a black newspaper carrier in January.
Troyer was charged last month with false reporting, and making a false or misleading statement to a public servant.
Both are misdemeanors.
Lying can be enough to get an officer certification revoked.
A step that normally prevents someone from working as a cop anywhere in the state.
But Troyer is an elected official.
Even if he loses his policing license, that wouldn't cause him to lose his position as an elected sheriff.
Only voters can take that away.
Troyer says the charges are a "Politically motivated anti-cop hit job."
He has pleaded not guilty.
I'm Stephen Hegg, find nonprofit northwest news every day on www.crosscut.com (upbeat music)
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Crosscut Now is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS