Seattle mayor begins search for police chief, names new interim

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray launched the search for a new police chief Wednesday, calling it the most important decision he will make during his time in office.

The newly-elected mayor also named retired Assistant Police Chief Harry Bailey as interim chief and set an ambitious, four-month timeline to find a permanent replacement.

Bailey retired from the department in 2007 and pursued a job in the private security sector before being hired by Mayor Mike McGinn in 2012 to oversee the city’s 20/20 plan for reforming the police department.

Bailey will now replace Jim Pugel, who was brought up from the department’s command staff to serve as interim chief in April 2013 after the retirement of Chief John Diaz.

Murray said Pugel will return to his rank of assistant chief and said the move had nothing to do with Pugel’s performance on the job, but rather his desire to seek the permanent position.

“I want to thank Jim Pugel for his dedication and service to the people of Seattle,” Murray said. “Should Jim remain interested in the permanent position, he is welcome to apply and nothing about these changes would affect that.”

Pugel was noticeably absent from Wednesday’s press conference.

“I decided that it would be best to not have him here,” Murray said when asked. “This is not about Chief Pugel.”

Someone whose presence was well noted was Captain Nick Metz, whom Pugel demoted from the rank of assistant police chief in November.

The decision to remove Metz from the command staff was controversial and rumors have circulated within the department that Metz could see his position restored under Bailey.

“Nick Metz is one of those individuals who is very well respected by the community and the rank and file,” said Sgt. Rich O’Neill, president of the Seattle Police Officers’ Guild. “That was a decision that was frankly a shock to me when it happened – literally shocked. I thought it was a bad rumor and it turned out to be true.”

Murray deflected repeated questions from the press Wednesday about Metz’s future on the department, as well as the future of other members on the command staff. He lamented leaks within the agency and what he called rumors about who will stay and who will go.

When asked if he expected to return to the command staff, Metz said no such promise has been made.

“If it happens, it happens,” he said. “I’m going to continue to serve this department in the capacity that I have. I’m proud of this department and I’m proud of our officers.”

Metz declined to answer questions about whether he will apply for the permanent job as chief of police.

When asked what he is looking for in a new chief, Murray said he needs someone who will reform the department, rebuild trust within the community, and change the culture that led to an agreement with the Department of Justice over how officers use force.

“I’m looking for somebody who can earn the respect and restore the morale of our police officers,” he said. “This has been years and years of fighting with the Justice Department and within the city as a whole.”

Murray has sent a letter to each member of the department outlining changes and setting expectations.

“One of the things I’ve consistently heard from officers is that there is not a clear message,” he said. “Today that is coming to an end.”