Adrian Diaz officially sworn in as Seattle’s police chief

Jan 12, 2023, 12:25 PM | Updated: 12:47 pm

MyNorthwest Content Editor

Adrian Diaz was officially sworn in as the Seattle Police Department Chief of Police in a ceremony attended by the Seattle City Council, Mayor Bruce Harrell, and other top officials.

Diaz has been the interim Chief of Police since Sep. 2020 after former Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best resigned in Aug. 2020 after the George Floyd protests.

Adrian Diaz looks to change Seattle Police’s ‘toxic environment’ as permanent chief

In Sep. 2022, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced his intent to appoint Diaz as Chief of Police for the Seattle Police Department.

The Seattle City Council confirmed Adrian Diaz as chief on Jan. 3 in an 8-1 vote.

Diaz held the chief role during historic budget cuts and staffing shortages for SPD, as well as during a time of social unrest after the murder of George Floyd.

He has worked with SPD for over two decades in patrol, crime prevention, and investigation.

Diaz has said he is ready for the hard work that lies ahead, promising new initiatives to diversify a police force still under a federal consent decree to monitor use of force and biased policing.

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