Mayor Harrell appoints Adrian Diaz as permanent Seattle police chief
Sep 20, 2022, 1:39 PM | Updated: 3:02 pm
Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz was the interim police chief for two years prior to his formal acceptance of the position, replacing former Police Chief Carmen Best in Aug. 2020. (Photo: MyNorthwest file image)
(Photo: MyNorthwest file image)
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has selected Adrian Diaz to be the city’s permanent chief of police.
The appointment is contingent on full city council approval.
Interim SPD Chief Adrian Diaz could get chance to take over role in permanent capacity
“Public safety is built on a foundation of social trust. We are stronger and safer as a city when we work together to those who offer their support, who challenge us, and who roll up their sleeves in partnership,” Diaz said at the announcement. “You make us better and I promise that we will continue to strive to be the department that you demand and that you deserve. No leader can do it alone.”
Diaz stated that, while 2020 was “rock bottom” for the city’s police force when he stepped in to replace then-Police Chief Carmen Best, morale has already increased among the officers.
“I think we’re actually at a much better place with morale than we were two years ago and we continue to increase it now that we also just launched the recruiting hiring plan,” Diaz said. “The mayor has championed that and has really helped putting incentives in place.”
The announcement follows a country-wide search for a permanent police chief which culminated in the selection of two candidates beyond Diaz: Assistant Tucson Police Chief Kevin Hall and Assistant Seattle Police Chief Eric Greening.
“Our police officers spent the last several years serving our community despite exceptionally challenging circumstances,” Mayor Harrell said in a news conference Tuesday.
“You name the circumstance of difficulty … [Diaz] committed to supporting and retaining [officers]. Chief Diaz is the right choice for the job.”
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