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Date: June 15, 2026
Chief of Corrections Penelope Sapp appointed Acting Sheriff upon Retirement of Sheriff John Gese to ensure Continuity of Sheriff’s Office Operations
(Port Orchard, WA) - The Kitsap County Board of Commissioners has appointed Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Chief of Corrections Penelope Sapp to serve as Acting Sheriff as of June 29, 2026 or upon the retirement of Sheriff John Gese.
Voters will elect the next Kitsap County Sheriff during the November 2026 general election. Under Washington state law, the Kitsap County Democratic Central Committee is responsible for identifying and nominating three candidates to fill the sheriff vacancy until that time. The Board of Commissioners plans to appoint one of those three nominees to serve as interim sheriff for the remainder of the unexpired term until certification of the November 2026 election.
While that statutory appointment process moves forward, however, the Board has named Chief Sapp as Acting Sheriff to support the daily operations of the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office.
“We are confident in the constitutional process that is currently underway and look forward to receiving the Kitsap County Democratic Party’s nominees,” said Board Chair Oran Root. “Today’s action ensures continuity of leadership and support for our employees and the Sheriff’s Office during that transition. Chief Sapp will serve in an acting capacity until the interim sheriff is appointed.”
Chief Sapp has served as Chief of Corrections since May 2021. Prior to that she served in various positions with KCSO since 2002. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from Chapman University in 2007 and a Master's in Justice Administration from Norwich University in 2009. She is currently completing her dissertation for a Doctor of Philosophy in Law and Public Policy at Walden University. She was selected as "Corrections Officer of the Year" in 2004 and has received numerous awards, including a "Distinguished and Devoted Service Award" in 2017.
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Contact Information: Erina Kong, Digital Communications Supervisor, Board of County Commissioners Office, 360.337.4857
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