Amid Legal Controversies, Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz Is Out; Sue Rahr Appointed Interim Chief
Since last year, the SPD has been facing numerous internal lawsuits alleging gender discrimination and harassment. Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the end of Chief Adrian Diaz's role as head of the department. (Photo: Omari Salisbury)
By Lorcan Stokes
On Wednesday, May 29th, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced at a press conference that Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz will be demoted from his role as head of the department. In his place, Mayor Harrell appointed former King County Sheriff Sue Rahr as interim chief. Diaz's departure as chief follows multiple lawsuits alleging gender discrimination and harassment by several female officers within the department and another lawsuit filed against the department last week. These legal challenges have prompted Mayor Harrell to appoint an independent investigation of the department.
"His integrity, in my mind, is beyond reproach, and he is a friend, and I want to thank him for his service," Harrell said. "We are now looking at the internal culture, of course, at the police department. We are trying to create a representative department of who we are at our best, a culture that we can stand in any city and say we are truly the best."
Although Diaz will no longer serve as the department head, his employment with the Seattle Police Department will continue.
"He's (Diaz) agreed to set aside and to work on special projects and realized the kind of culture change that we want, perhaps could be better served with him stepping aside," Harrell said. "We also want to make sure that anyone that has any complaints within the department do not have a threat of retaliation or any blowback, so to speak, while the investigation occurs."
Diaz, who has been with the SPD for 27 years, stated that he plans to focus on addressing personal medical issues, taking time for himself, and contributing to the city in his new, unspecified role. When asked about the possibility of pursuing a police chief position in another department, Diaz emphasized that he would "assess" such opportunities in the future.
"I do think there's still a lot to offer, and I want to make sure that the city gets everything that I want to be able to help out with, and then I'll assess what it looks like for maybe another city," Diaz said. "I don't know, but right now, I think it's also just kind of taking a little bit of time for myself."
With nearly three decades of service at the SPD, Diaz will continue working with the department in an unspecified role focused on "special projects." (Photo: Omari Salisbury)
Rahr, whose notable career accomplishments include serving as the executive director of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission and as a member of President Barack Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing, will begin her tenure as interim chief on Thursday morning.
"I'm going to start by listening. I want to hear from the men and women of the Seattle Police Department; what you're seeing, what your ideas are, what you need," Rahr said. "I need to understand what you're all facing on the street. I also need you to be brutally honest and open with me so that I can understand. Armed with that information, I am going to do my very best in the short time that I'm here to get you the tools and support that you need to deliver good policing to the people we serve."
While Harrell did not comment on the lawsuits, he emphasized that the SPD remains a reliable and trusted institution for the citizens of Seattle despite its current troubles and persistent decline in police recruitment.
"The city should have the ultimate faith in our police department. They are showing outstanding leadership. This is how you get better, how you evaluate yourself," Harrell said. "You hire people to give feedback, whether you want it or not. You have open dialogues with proven leaders. You put your own egos to the side, and you say, we can do, and we can be better. So, the people of Seattle should feel good about this move. We don't make panic moves. We make strategic moves."
Regarding recruitment and strengthening the Seattle Police Department, Sue Rahr highlighted that in her interim role, she plans to focus on developing recruitment methods designed to attract more women.
"When I look at what's happening inside the Seattle Police Department right now, I know there is some turbulence, but there is some incredible work being done," Rahr said, later emphasizing a plan to create more flexible work schedules within the SPD to increase women recruitment.
"I hope that we are able to work together as a team to make Seattle Police Department the most attractive department for women to come to work," Rahr said. "Now, I want lots of people. We need lots of diversity. We need diversity of experience, but Seattle Police Department, if I can do it, is going to be the top recruiter for female recruits. This is going to be the place people want to come to work. I'm confident of that."
Rahr also stated that she would be committed to working with community organizations and leaders.
"The Seattle Police Department cannot drive the crime rate down by itself. We cannot do that without partnering with the community," Rahr said, emphasizing the importance of building relationships with local organizations and residents.
She further continued, "I was the gang unit commander in King County a long time ago when gangs were first becoming a problem, and one of the things that I learned firsthand is we cannot do this without the community and people who are inside of the community telling us what's going on, telling us what we need to know. We can't do it without you."
As for finding a new permanent police chief, Harrell highlighted that the city "will immediately commence a national search for the next permanent police chief." Rahr clarified that she would not be throwing her hat in the ring to become the new chief but would play a part by collaborating with former SPD chief Kathy O'Toole to help identify a list of qualified semifinalist candidates.
"I feel very confident that we will have a chief that can help us change the culture and create the police department that we all could be so very, very proud of," Harrell said.
