MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Mayor Harrell announces finalists for Seattle police chief

Sep 9, 2022, 7:22 AM

chief...

(Left to right) Interim Seattle Chief of Police Adrian Diaz, Seattle Assistant Chief of Police Eric Greening, Tucson Assistant Chief of Police Kevin Hall (Credit City of Seattle)

(Credit City of Seattle)

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has announced three final candidates to be Seattle’s permanent chief of police.

Interim Seattle Chief of Police Adrian Diaz, Seattle Assistant Chief of Police Eric Greening, and Tucson Assistant Chief of Police Kevin Hall will appear before the public in a televised question and answer session on Sept. 15 before the mayor announces his selection — a choice that must be approved by the Seattle City Council.

Rantz: Seattle mayor privately blasts homelessness groups, ‘inexperienced’ council

“This comprehensive process now brings us three highly qualified candidates, each with the requisite resume, skills, and value set to elevate our One Seattle vision for a city where every resident has a right to feel safe,” Mayor Harrell wrote in a news release.

“Our search committee and assessors have advanced candidates with our community’s expectations at the forefront – accountability, community-centered leadership, and innovation.”

15 candidates applied for the position. In recent days, a panel of four public safety experts administered written and oral examinations, narrowing the candidate pool. The selection process dates back to April.

14 city and community leaders constitute the search committee that fielded police chief candidates. Members of the committee range from elected officials to legal representation for some of the region’s largest employers.

Adrian Diaz has served as the interim police chief since Carmen Best’s retirement in August of 2020, days before the Seattle City Council approved a handful of cuts to the department.

The Seattle Police Department deployed tear gas throughout protests that erupted in the city over the death of George Floyd, for which Best was publicly criticized.

Diaz was quickly tagged to serve as interim police chief by then-Mayor Jenny Durkan.

MyNorthwest News

Image: Brightly colored eggs are set on a table on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington,...

Ted Buehner

Expect good Easter weekend weather for egg hunts, chilly evening Mariners games

Both Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend will feature temperatures warming to around 60 degrees across much of Western Washington.

6 hours ago

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

7 hours ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

9 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

9 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

10 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

13 hours ago

Mayor Harrell announces finalists for Seattle police chief