Sources: Seattle mayor to name new interim police chief
Jan 7, 2014, 3:21 PM | Updated: 4:43 pm
Newly-elected Seattle Mayor Ed Murray will name a new interim police chief this week, multiple law enforcement sources confirm.
As KIRO Radio first reported Tuesday, Harry C. Bailey, who retired from the department in 2007 at the rank of assistant chief, will take over for current Interim Chief Jim Pugel.
The announcement is expected Wednesday, sources said.
Following his retirement from the police department, Bailey served as director of security for the Seattle Supersonics and then the Oklahoma City Thunder. In 2012, Bailey was hired by then-Mayor Mike McGinn to oversee the city’s 20/20 plan for reforming the police department.
Reached by phone in December, Bailey told KIRO Radio he had not been offered the job, but would consider it if the opportunity arose. Reached by phone again on Tuesday, Bailey would not confirm that he had indeed been asked to take over for Pugel.
Pugel, who was named interim chief in April 2013 after the retirement of Chief John Diaz, has said publicly that he would seek the permanent job once a nationwide search is underway.
The mayor’s office would not comment on whether an announcement is imminent or whether Bailey has been asked to step into the interim role.
