Seattle’s police chief has been dismissed, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced Wednesday. At a news conference, Harrell said he met with Police Chief Adrian Diaz on Tuesday, and they both agreed that Diaz should step down. Diaz will now take on special assignments for the mayor within the police department, Harrell stated.
Eric Greening filed a lawsuit alleging that he discriminated against women and people of color, the news outlet KUOW reported. Greening is one of at least a half-dozen officers who have sued the department, alleging sex and racial discrimination, and naming Diaz specifically.
Last month, several female officers filed a tort claim for $5 million, alleging harassment and sex discrimination. Diaz has vehemently denied the allegations. Harrel said earlier this month that he would hire an outside investigator to examine some of the allegations. On Wednesday, Harrell said the lawsuits were a distraction for Diaz.
Diaz assumed the role of acting chief in 2020, succeeding Carmen Best, who resigned after a summer of protests against police brutality following George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis. Diaz was later officially appointed to the position. Sue Rahr, a former sheriff of King County, where Seattle is located, will replace Diaz on an interim basis. Rahr most recently led the state’s police academy, where she promoted the philosophy of “guardians, not warriors.”