Pierce County deputy’s camera was off at ‘critical phase’ of leader’s wreck
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- In one instance deputies failed to keep cameras recording during critical phases.
- Investigation found lapses in documentation, supervisory oversight and scene integrity.
- Sheriff ordered retraining, policy revision and stricter compliance monitoring.
A camera that Pierce County sheriff’s deputies are expected to use without interruption when responding to an emergency was off during “critical phases” of the response to a two-vehicle wreck involving former Pierce County Sheriff’s Maj. Chadwick Dickerson.
That was one of the key findings the Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday from its internal investigation of the deputies who responded to the collision last summer. Although no formal discipline was imposed on the deputies, the inquiry found areas of concern including body-worn camera usage, documentation requirements, supervisory oversight, scene integrity and evidence handling.
The investigation also examined if the involvement of a high-ranking member of the agency affected standard investigative procedures.
“While no evidence was found of intentional misconduct to alter the outcome of the criminal investigation, the report noted that deviations from standard practices created a perception risk and undermined confidence in the response,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Dickerson, who at the time led the office’s Criminal Investigation Division, was allegedly impaired when he crashed his pickup into an SUV carrying a family of six near Graham at 132nd Avenue East and 288th Street East. An 8-year-old boy and his grandmother were hurt, and everyone in their vehicle was transported to a hospital.
The 25-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office was arrested and later charged in October with two counts of DUI vehicular assault. Dickerson announced his retirement after charges were filed. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in November, and he has remained out of custody on his personal recognizance.
Charging documents alleged that a sergeant and deputies who went to the crash scene July 12 did not activate their body-worn cameras the entire time, prompting Sheriff Keith Swank to announce that he had opened an investigation into the conduct of the deputies who were at the scene.
On Thursday, the Sheriff’s Office said the investigation had concluded and that it had identified several areas of concern regarding policy compliance.
Swank said in a news release that deviations from policy, especially in serious incidents, are unacceptable. He said whether intentional or not, any failure to properly document actions or maintain required recordings undermines public trust and comprises the integrity of the Sheriff’s Office’s work.
“That will not be tolerated under my administration,” Swank said.
“Since taking office, I have been actively working with the Pierce County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild to strengthen policy language, eliminate ambiguity, and ensure there are clear, enforceable standards that apply equally to every member of this agency, regardless of rank or position,” Swank continued. “Any change in the current language is a mandatory subject of bargaining.”
“Moving forward, there will be no gray areas,” he added. “Policy compliance is mandatory, documentation is required, and transparency is essential. If those expectations are not met, there will be consequences.”
The announcement did not identify any specific deputies who might have received discipline, but it said Swank had initiated “corrective actions,” including targeted retraining on body-worn camera policy and evidence documentation, review and reinforcement of supervisory responsibilities at major incident scenes and ongoing evaluation of compliance monitoring systems.
The Sheriff’s Office said its policy on body-worn cameras requires that once the camera is activated, body camera and vehicle recordings should continue without interruption until the incident has concluded. The investigation found that in one instance, recordings were either prematurely deactivated or not activated at all during critical phases of the response.
Policy also requires that if recording is delayed, interrupted or not initiated, deputies must document the reason in a report. Investigators determined that some deputies failed to adequately document these deviations.
The Sheriff’s Office said policy does allow for deactivating recording devices once a scene is secure and public interaction has stopped. This requires approval from an on-scene supervisor or lead investigator.
“The investigation found inconsistencies in supervisory authorization and documentation of these decision,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
This story was originally published April 2, 2026 at 10:58 AM.
