Seattle’s police chief, Adrian Diaz, has been removed from his position, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced on Wednesday. This decision follows the recent administrative leave of Assistant Police Chief Tyrone Davis and multiple lawsuits from at least six officers alleging discrimination against women and people of color. Mayor Harrell stated that Sue Rahr, a former sheriff of King County and the recent head of the state’s police academy, will serve as interim chief. However, Rahr will not be considered for the permanent position, and Diaz will be reassigned to special assignments.

In a news conference, Harrell praised Diaz as a friend with “integrity beyond reproach” and emphasized the need for cultural change within the police department. Harrell acknowledged that recent allegations of discrimination, harassment, and prejudice prompted him to appoint an independent investigator to review the claims.

Eric Greening, a 30-year veteran of the force, recently filed a lawsuit against Diaz, alleging retaliation after he reported discriminatory practices. The lawsuit, filed in King County Superior Court, also names the city as a defendant. Greening claims Diaz rejected his application for deputy chief, denied his bid to reapply as an assistant chief, demoted him to captain, and abolished the Collaborative Policing Bureau, which Greening led. Diaz’s attorney asserted that an objective review would show the department’s actions were appropriate.

Additionally, four female officers—Kame Spencer, Judinna (Jean) Gulpan, Valerie Carson, and Lauren Truscott—filed a $5 million tort claim last month, alleging sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and a hostile work environment. They named Diaz, Lt. John O’Neil, and human resource manager Rebecca McKechnie as primary perpetrators. The police department declined to comment on pending litigation, and the City Attorney’s Office, O’Neil, and McKechnie did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Ted Buck, Diaz’s attorney, highlighted that as a Hispanic American with decades of law enforcement experience, Diaz has faced significant discrimination and has actively confronted such issues as chief. The city has 60 days to respond to the tort claim.

Sumeer Singla, the attorney representing the four women, suggested that Diaz’s dismissal lends credibility to their claims. Singla pointed out that the police department’s initial reaction was to undermine his clients’ allegations, but Diaz’s reassignment within 30 days indicates a shift in the department’s stance.

The city is also facing a lawsuit from Denise “Cookie” Bouldin, one of the first African American women to join the department in the 1970s. Filed in November, Bouldin’s suit details decades of racist treatment and gender bias. She hopes her claim will prompt the department to authentically address these issues.

In January, Deanna Nollette, a 27-year veteran who became an assistant chief in 2018, sued Diaz and the department, alleging gender, wage, and job discrimination. Nollette claimed Diaz was demeaning to women, had a history of misogyny, and demoted her to captain after being appointed chief.

At the news conference, Diaz expressed his emotions, stating, “I’ve accomplished so much in the four years as chief, but there’s more to be done.”

Assistant Chief Tyrone Davis was placed on administrative leave last week. The Office of Police Accountability received a complaint about Davis on May 8 and is investigating. Davis, who commands the Special Operations Bureau, did not respond to a request for comment.

Diaz took over as interim chief in 2020 after Carmen Best resigned following protests over the police killing of George Floyd. He was appointed chief in 2022. Mayor Harrell is looking outside the department for the next chief, hoping to hire someone within six months.

Additional Context

- Lawsuits and Allegations: The recent legal actions against the Seattle Police Department include accusations of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and a hostile work environment, particularly against women and people of color within the department.

- Leadership Changes: Adrian Diaz’s reassignment and the appointment of Sue Rahr as interim chief signify a strategic move by Mayor Harrell to address the internal culture and systemic issues within the department.

- Historical Challenges: The department’s history, including the 2012 federal consent decree following the police shooting of John Williams and subsequent efforts to reform, underscores the ongoing challenges in addressing discrimination and improving internal culture.

- Future Direction: Mayor Harrell’s decision to seek an external candidate for the next police chief reflects a broader strategy to bring fresh perspectives and potentially more effective reforms to the Seattle Police Department.