Summit County swears in Kacey Bates as second female sheriff in Utah history

The swearing in ceremony for Summit County Sheriff Kacey Bates at the Summit County Courthouse in Coalville on October 8, 2025. Photo: TownLift//Randi Sidman-Moore

SUMMIT COUNTY — Kacey Bates was officially sworn in as Summit County’s new sheriff Wednesday, making history as the first woman to hold the position in the county and only the second woman to serve as a county sheriff in Utah.

Bates, who had been serving as interim sheriff since Frank Smith retired in early September, was unanimously appointed by the Summit County Council to complete Smith’s term. Under Utah law, when an elected county official leaves office before the end of their term, the political party of the departing official nominates a replacement, and the county council votes to confirm the appointment. Because Smith was a Democrat, the Summit County Democratic Party nominated Bates, and the council’s vote officially installed her in the role. Bates will serve until 2027, when the next regular sheriff’s election will allow voters to select the position.

“I’m deeply invested in this community and serving this community,” Bates said on KPCW’s Local News Hour Oct. 6. “This has been an incredible agency to me, and the community has been great to me. I’m just honored to be given the privilege of leading as sheriff for Summit County.”

Bates has said her priorities include adding a mental health unit to the county’s corrections facility and addressing issues related to the transient population in the area. Former Sheriff Frank Smith appointed Bates as his chief deputy in 2023, shortly after taking office.

A Coalville native, Bates began her career with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office in 1997. Over nearly three decades in law enforcement, Bates has served in a range of roles spanning corrections, investigations, courts, and local schools.

Bates is a graduate of Weber State University graduate and she joined the sheriff’s office in 1997 as a corrections officer. She has since served as jail commander, detective, and school resource officer.

Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera, the first woman to serve as a county sheriff in Utah in 2017, attended the swearing-in ceremony Wednesday to welcome Bates to the role.