Seattle – Right this moment, Mayor Bruce Harrell introduced that he’ll appoint interim Chief Adrian Diaz as the following everlasting Chief of the Seattle Police Division, following an intensive nationwide search and sturdy neighborhood engagement.

“All through this course of, we’ve heard Seattleites’ clear expectations for the Seattle Police Division: efficient public security, significant neighborhood engagement, and a dedication to accountability and steady enchancment. I’m assured that Chief Adrian Diaz will present the management essential to advance these crucial priorities and make Seattle protected for all residents,” stated Mayor Harrell. “We appeared for candidates throughout the division and throughout the nation, elevated the voices of the neighborhood, and carefully examined candidates’ {qualifications} and abilities. Chief Diaz was the clear alternative to answer considerations about crime and security and to drive the efficient response that can make an actual influence.”

 “My dedication to guide the Seattle Police Division relies in neighborhood. I’m dedicated to making sure that neighborhood is on the forefront of all SPD’s work and engagement, and I’m dedicated to making sure the division restores security city-wide,” stated Chief Adrian Diaz. “I strategy this work with optimism, conscious of the belief that was shattered by the occasions of 2020 following the homicide of George Floyd, of the mixed trauma of neighborhood and our officers alike, and of the lengthy path in direction of reconciliation forward of us – not simply between SPD and neighborhood members, but in addition between town, the division, and the women and men, sworn and civilian, who kind the guts and soul of the SPD. I stay 100% dedicated to this division, the Metropolis of Seattle, and I stay up for engaged on behalf of all individuals as Chief of Police.”

The seek for Seattle’s subsequent chief started in April and included the formation of a various search committee made up of a big selection of stakeholders and neighborhood members. All through the summer season, the Metropolis held quite a few neighborhood engagement periods, listening to and receiving enter from the general public, along with opening a survey for individuals to submit security priorities and share their opinions. The search committee elevated 5 candidates, who had been administered a aggressive examination by public security specialists. The three closing candidates had been unanimously superior to Mayor Harrell. Final week, Mayor Harrell and Metropolis stakeholders interviewed the ultimate candidates after they participated in a public question-and-answer discussion board.

Chief Diaz is a pacesetter dedicated to constructing relationships with all individuals served by SPD, which is why he created the division’s Earlier than the Badge coaching program. Earlier than SPD’s new recruits attend the state’s necessary Fundamental Regulation Enforcement Academy (BLEA) coaching, they first attend Earlier than the Badge for community-based, peer-based, and introspective experiences that present them a extra complete understanding of the individuals they are going to ultimately swear to serve and shield. Chief Diaz additionally created the Fairness, Accountability, and High quality (EAQ) Danger Administration mannequin which allowed SPD to turn into the primary police company within the nation to develop and take a look at a data-driven mannequin of figuring out and addressing disparities in enforcement.

Because the newly named Interim Chief through the summer season of 2020, Diaz additionally reworked SPD’s crowd administration insurance policies and procedures to incorporate a public order engagement group, lowering the necessity for using crowd management instruments. The Chief oversaw a discount in using power by 48% in 2021 in comparison with 2015, led the creation of a Danger Mitigation Evaluation Matrix for growth of diversified responses to policing, and oversaw crucial incident responses to gun violence with native non-profit organizations to scale back retaliatory gun violence. Chief Diaz is revered by regulation enforcement leaders world-wide and serves on the Board of Administrators for the Worldwide Affiliation of Chiefs of Police (IACP). He’s Vice Chair for the IACP’s Human and Civil Rights Committee, is a member of the Nationwide Fee on COVID-19 and Prison Justice, serves on the Regulation Enforcement Immigration Activity Drive (LEITF), and is a member of the Alliance for Gun Duty Committee.

“Chief Diaz embraces our One Seattle imaginative and prescient and will likely be an instrumental accomplice as we transfer to the following part of reform, guarantee accountability, and drive progressive efforts to develop diversified emergency responses,” stated Mayor Harrell. “Chief Diaz understands that our division should proceed striving for excellence, reject bias and complacency, and act on the wants of our communities. He acknowledges how laborious our officers have been working and can use his skilled and lived expertise to create an inclusive, forward-looking tradition at SPD. As everlasting chief, he’ll deliver new vitality and innovation to delivering public security providers, supporting victims and survivors, and recruiting and retaining officers. I stay up for years of collaboration.”

Chief Diaz will start a neighborhood tour to construct on and broaden his robust and longstanding neighborhood ties. Chief Diaz’s affirmation as everlasting chief of police requires Metropolis Council affirmation.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Kathleen O’Toole, Former Seattle Chief of Police

“Honest congratulations to Chief Diaz as he continues to guide the Seattle Police Division by way of these very difficult occasions. His long-recognized dedication to communities all through town will function an ideal basis for his work going ahead.”

Rachel Smith, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce President & CEO
“This complete search course of included a aggressive mixture of native and nationwide candidates, and it was an honor to serve alongside such excellent companions on the search committee. All through the method, Interim Chief Adrian Diaz demonstrated his dedication to neighborhood, his willingness to deal with challenges, and his readiness to serve – together with a powerful basis of belief with Mayor Bruce Harrell – all qualities that will likely be crucial as Seattle’s everlasting police chief.”

Reverend Harriett Walden, Moms for Police Accountability Founder

“Chief Diaz grew to become the interim chief at a really troublesome time for Seattle. He took this chance and has labored very laborious to maintain Seattle protected, whereas being confronted with the lack of so many officers and will increase in crime. Moms for Police Accountability will work with Chief Diaz to additional public security and police accountability in Seattle, and I hope that that the accountability companions – the CPC, the OIG, and OPA – will as properly.”

Dr. Brent Jones, Seattle Public Colleges Superintendent

“Chief Diaz is the chief our colleges want. He has led the Seattle Police Division in supporting our colleges, not simply to make sure security but in addition to foster neighborhood. Chief Diaz is the chief in public security our college students want. In a few years of partnership with the college district, he has led with character, empathy, and justice.”

Carmen Martinez, Duwamish Valley Youth Corps Supervisor

“I wish to thank Mayor Harrell for elevating neighborhood and youth voices all through this course of and congratulate Chief Diaz on this well-deserved appointment. Residents had been clear that we’d like Seattle Police Division management that listens, that cares, and that’s dedicated to rebuilding belief with our neighborhood. Chief Diaz is that candidate and I stay up for nearer partnerships and true collaboration along with his everlasting appointment.”

ABOUT CHIEF ADRIAN DIAZ

Chief Adrian Diaz has been a devoted member of the Seattle Police Division for greater than twenty years. His work constructing relationships that bridge race, ethnicity, and each taste of humanity may be seen throughout the Division and in each neighborhood in Seattle.

Chief Diaz started his profession in Patrol, the Mountain Bike Unit, and the Anti-Crime Workforce earlier than becoming a member of the Investigations Bureau. He’s additionally a Grasp Defensive Techniques teacher on the Washington State Prison Justice Coaching Fee. He served as Assistant Chief of the newly created Collaborative Policing Bureau previous to being promoted to the Deputy Chief and Interim Chief of Police.

Chief Diaz holds a Bachelor of Arts in legal justice from Central Washington College and a Grasp of Public Administration from the College of Washington. He has accomplished the FBI’s Nationwide Government Institute, Main Cities Chiefs Associations Police Government Management Institute, the Cascade Government Program, and the Senior Administration Institute of Policing. Chief Diaz has authored quite a few articles in nationwide publications about neighborhood policing, misdemeanor justice, and juvenile justice.