Seattle Mayor Appoints Permanent Police Chief

SEATTLE — Interim Seattle police chief Adrian Diaz will take on the top job permanently after Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell named him as the pick to head the department on Tuesday. Diaz has led the police department since Carmen Best's departure in the wake of the 2020 protests and won the permanent job over two other finalists named earlier this month.

Former chief Best announced her resignation plans in August 2020 and formally retired from the Seattle Police Department the following March. Seattle began a nationwide search this April and solicited public feedback throughout the summer.

Harrell said the search committee moved five candidates forward, who each took a competitive exam. Three finalists moved to the final round and participated in a public form last week. According to The Seattle Times, the city paid a firm $75,000 to find 15 applicants for the job.

Harrell chose Diaz to stay in the role over Seattle assistant chief Eric Greening and Tuscon assistant chief Kevin Hall.

In a statement Tuesday, the mayor said:

“Throughout this process, we’ve heard Seattleites’ clear expectations for the Seattle Police Department: effective public safety, meaningful community engagement, and a commitment to accountability and continuous improvement. I am confident that Chief Adrian Diaz will provide the leadership necessary to advance these critical priorities and make Seattle safe for all residents. We looked for candidates across the department and across the nation, elevated the voices of the community, and closely examined applicants’ qualifications and skills. Chief Diaz was the clear choice to respond to concerns about crime and safety and to drive the effective response that will make a real impact.”

Harell pointed to Diaz's work since taking over the department on an interim basis, crediting him with overseeing an overall reduction in "use of force" and reworking department policies. Diaz faced criticism last year after reversing disciplinary findings against a lieutenant who authorized the use of pepper spray, tear gas and blast balls on a large crowd of protesters in what became known as the "pink umbrella incident" on June 1, 2020.

Diaz later demoted an assistant chief, blaming his decision-making for allowing the situation to occur, prompting a lawsuit against the city claiming discrimination and retaliation.

His appointment is subject to City Council confirmation.

Accepting Harrell's appointment Tuesday, Diaz said:

“My commitment to lead the Seattle Police Department is based in community. I am committed to ensuring that community is at the forefront of all SPD’s work and engagement, and I am committed to ensuring the department restores safety city-wide. I approach this work with optimism, mindful of the trust that was shattered by the events of 2020 following the murder of George Floyd, of the combined trauma of community and our officers alike, and of the long path towards reconciliation ahead of us – not just between SPD and community members, but also between the city, the department, and the men and women, sworn and civilian, who form the heart and soul of the SPD. I remain 100% committed to this department, the City of Seattle, and I look forward to working on behalf of all people as Chief of Police.”