Vote Keith Swank for
Sheriff
Keith Swank is a police captain with 33 years of law enforcement experience.
Our most qualified and well-rounded choice for Pierce County Sheriff.
Police Captain Keith Swank is the SWAT team commander who directed the clearance and securing of the CHOP/CHAZ riot zone in Seattle.
Captain Swank trained officers around the country for the U.S. Department of Justice as an expert in de-escalation and crisis intervention.
Swank’s extensive experience as a patrol officer in Seattle taught him how to communicate with diverse communities, and, how to make life-or-death decisions quickly and manage efficiently.
Over his career as an officer Capt. Swank continually answered the call of those in need, sometimes on the worst day of their lives. He dedicated his life to protecting the public and doing so as fairly as possible.
Under pressure, Capt. Swank proved to be an effective leader that thinks outside-the-box in life and death situations, finding split-second solutions to challenges and facing down dangerous criminals most of us will thankfully never have encounter.
Keith grew up on a small rural farm where he learned a strong work ethic.
At 18 he felt a strong calling to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Army. In the Army he graduated from Ranger School, Airborne School, High Altitude Low Opening (HALO), and Infantry Training.
After being honorably discharged from the Army at Fort Lewis, Keith enrolled at the University of Washington where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
After graduating from the police academy (CJTC) Keith spent 15 years as a patrol officer in Seattle and was promoted to sergeant. He oversaw 911 emergency response for four years where his duties expanded to serving as second in command of more than 100 people.
In 2006 then Sergeant Keith Swank played a pivotal role in the de-escalation of a tense situation with a mass shooter at the Seattle Jewish Federation. During the 911 call, Swank utilized effective communication techniques to engage the suspect. Through patient dialogue and strategic communication, Swank was able to help diffuse the immediate threat, leading to a peaceful surrender without further harm to hostages. Fallout from the shocking incident and subsequent trial made international news and demonstrated the power of effective crisis intervention.
After years of supervising the 911 response center Keith longed to return to patrol and respond to emergencies. While actively patrolling and keeping our streets safe Keith was promoted to Lieutenant and spent two tours as a Watch Commander. Keith had fifty police officers working with him responding to emergencies.
In between his two stints as a Watch Commander, Keith was second in command of the training unit. In 2017 he was promoted to Captain and worked as the Night Duty Commander, the highest-ranking officer in the city at night.
Keith also served as the Commander of the Metro Special Response Section (SWAT Team, Harbor Patrol, Canine Unit, and Arson Bomb Squad).
There’s only one candidate for Pierce County Sheriff with the education and needed real-world experience to lead and improve all aspects of law enforcement in the state’s second largest county.
The choice is clear. Keith Swank as your Pierce County Sheriff means safer streets.
Keith resides in Puyallup, WA with his wife and enjoys serving as a volunteer in the community.
