SEATTLE — Seattle’s embattled police chief has been dismissed, Mayor Bruce Harrel said Wednesday.
Harrell said at a news conference that he met with Adrian Diaz on Tuesday and they agreed Diaz should step down. He will work on special assignments for the mayor with the police department, Harrell said.
Diaz’s departure comes about a week after police Capt. Eric Greening filed a lawsuit alleging that he discriminated against women and people of color, news outlet KUOW reported.
Greening is one of at least a half-dozen officers who have sued the department alleging sex and racial discrimination, and naming Diaz specifically. Last month several female officers filed a tort claim for $5 million, alleging harassment and sex discrimination.
Diaz has vehemently denied the allegations. Harrel said earlier this month that he would hire an outside investigator to examine some of the allegations.
On Wednesday, Harrell said the lawsuits were a distraction for Diaz. He praised Diaz, who appeared with him at the news conference, but said the two agreed that change could “be better served with him stepping aside.”
“I’ve accomplished so much in the four years as chief, but there’s more to be done,” Diaz said.
Diaz took over as acting chief in 2020 for Carmen Best, who resigned following a summer of demonstrations against police brutality after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. He was later given the job officially.
Diaz will be replaced on an interim basis by Sue Rahr, a former sheriff of King County, where Seattle is located. Rahr most recently led the state’s police academy, where she evangelized a mantra of “guardians, not warriors.”
Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best was fired on Monday, August 10th, following a series of discrimination and harassment lawsuits filed against the department. Best, who was the first Black woman to serve as Seattle’s police chief, had been in the role for two years before her sudden dismissal.
The lawsuits against the Seattle Police Department allege a pattern of discrimination and harassment against officers of color, particularly Black and Hispanic officers. The complaints include claims of racial slurs, biased treatment, and a hostile work environment. These allegations have raised concerns about the department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
In a statement announcing Best’s firing, Mayor Jenny Durkan cited the need for new leadership to address the systemic issues within the department. “We need a leader who can bring about the changes needed to rebuild trust and ensure accountability,” Durkan said.
Best’s firing comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of law enforcement agencies across the country, following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the subsequent protests against police brutality and racial injustice. The Seattle Police Department has faced criticism for its handling of the protests, including the use of tear gas and other aggressive tactics against demonstrators.
Best, who had been praised for her handling of the protests and her efforts to reform the department, expressed disappointment over her dismissal. In a statement, she said, “It has been my honor to serve this city and this department. I am confident that the department will continue to move forward in a positive direction.”
The search for a new police chief is now underway, with Deputy Chief Adrian Diaz serving as interim chief in the meantime. The city has pledged to conduct a thorough review of the department’s policies and practices to address the issues raised in the lawsuits and ensure a more inclusive and equitable workplace for all officers.
As Seattle grapples with the fallout from Best’s firing, many are calling for greater accountability and transparency within the police department. The city’s residents are hopeful that new leadership will bring about meaningful change and help rebuild trust between law enforcement and the community.
