Seattle, WA
Seattle mayor seeks SPD reforms after probe of Diaz claims
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has called for significant changes within the Seattle Police Department (SPD) following a detailed investigation into allegations of gender discrimination and sexual harassment.
In a letter Harrell sent to the Seattle City Council on Dec. 30, the mayor reveals not only troubling findings about SPD’s handling of harassment cases but also the role of former SPD Chief Adrian Diaz in a scandal that has shaken the department.
The investigation was initiated after multiple reports of sexual harassment and gender discrimination within SPD, including claims made against Diaz.
Marcella Fleming Reed, an expert in workplace harassment and discrimination, conducted the investigation. It was commissioned earlier in 2024.
Her findings reveal serious flaws in how SPD has dealt with these issues in the past.
More on Adrian Diaz: Ex-chief fired from SPD for alleged ‘intimate’ relationship with staffer
Rising number of EEO complaints
One key finding from the investigation was the dramatic rise in Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaints within SPD over the past few years.
According to the report, SPD received 21 employee complaints in 2019, 30 in 2020, and 42 in 2021.
While the number dipped to 25 in 2022 and again in 2023 to 23, by the first nine months of 2024, SPD had already received 42 complaints, with the projected annual total suggesting a 144% increase over 2023.
The investigation revealed that many individuals within SPD acknowledged the increase in complaints but were unable to explain why it was happening or what might be driving the rise.
Concerns were expressed this higher volume of internal complaints had become the “new normal” for the department.
This dramatic uptick in complaints signals potential underlying issues within the department, possibly tied to a toxic culture or inadequate handling of past complaints.
Harrell letter to Seattle City Council on SPD investigation — 12302024 by scoogan on Scribd
The role of former SPD Chief Adrian Diaz
Perhaps the most significant revelation from the investigation was the involvement of Diaz.
According to the report, Diaz had received confidential information about ongoing investigations into harassment claims, which he used to pressure and manipulate witnesses.
This breach of confidentiality, combined with multiple allegations of sexual harassment and gender discrimination against him, ultimately led to his firing on Dec. 17.
Harrell emphasized that the decision to remove Diaz was necessary to restore trust in the police department.
The investigation into Diaz’s conduct revealed several troubling aspects of SPD’s internal processes.
Between 2020 and 2024, a number of EEO complaints, including allegations of sexual harassment, were not investigated thoroughly or were mishandled.
In some cases, investigations were never even initiated, while in others, complaints were dismissed or not substantiated, despite the serious nature of the claims.
The investigator also observed a troubling pattern within SPD involving a small group of individuals filing multiple complaints against one another, primarily related to systemic concerns of race and gender discrimination and harassment.
The investigator concluded that the recurring complaints suggested that there may be broader, underlying issues of workplace discrimination that were not being fully addressed.
However, the investigation did not directly interview those involved in filing or investigating these complaints, leaving a gap in understanding the root causes of these tensions.
One particular case highlighted by the investigation involved “Leader A,” a Black supervisor at SPD, who was reportedly targeted by subordinates due to their race.
Supervisors within the department expressed concerns that Leader A was being subjected to insubordination, largely driven by racial animus.
Despite these concerns, it appeared that the complaints were not thoroughly investigated.
This lack of action led to further complications, including allegations of retaliation and harassment from Leader A’s subordinates, as well as fears that their race and gender were being used as the basis for the mistreatment.
The investigation also uncovered instances where SPD’s oversight bodies, such as the Office of Police Accountability (OPA), SPD’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) office, and the Human Resources Investigations Unit (HRIU), failed to properly coordinate their efforts.
In one case, an SPD supervisor raised the concern that the issue was being “weaponized” by employees filing retaliatory complaints.
Rantz Exclusive: Former SPD Chief Adrian Diaz announces he’s gay
What needs to change in SPD
The findings from the independent investigation laid out several critical recommendations for reforming SPD.
The report called for changes that would improve how complaints of harassment and discrimination are investigated and handled.
Among the top recommendations was expanding the OPA’s authority to handle equal employment opportunity (EEO) complaints, which would make the department more accountable for internal discrimination and harassment cases.
Another suggestion was to improve SPD’s policies to encourage more open participation in investigations.
This includes making it easier for people to report misconduct without fear of retaliation or being silenced.
The investigation also pointed out the need to separate certain roles within SPD, such as the roles of EEO investigators and employee relations advisors, to make sure investigations are independent and unbiased.
In light of the damage caused by Diaz’s actions, Harrell emphasized the need for new structures to ensure that future investigations remain impartial.
The report recommended moving some of SPD’s investigation responsibilities to the OPA, which would help preserve neutrality and prevent any future conflicts of interest.
Previous coverage from Matt Markovich: Diaz to depart as SPD chief; Rahr to focus on cultural change
Commitment to change: Harrell urges appointment of Shon Barnes
In his letter, Harrell reaffirmed his goal of building a more inclusive police department, one that actively supports women and fosters a culture of trust.
Harrell said Interim SPD Chief Sue Rahr has agreed to continue to consult with the department after a new chief is in place.
The mayor is suggesting the Seattle City Council approve the appointment of Shon Barnes, currently the police chief of Madison, Wisconsin.
Harrell highlighted Barnes as a “generational leader” with a proven track record of advancing diversity and inclusion in law enforcement.
In Madison, Barnes led an initiative that successfully increased the number of female officers in the department.
Under his leadership, 30% of Madison’s police officers were women, a goal Harrell wants to replicate in Seattle.
MFR Associates assessment report on the Seattle Police Department by scoogan on Scribd
Matt Markovich often covers the state legislature and public policy for KIRO Newsradio. You can read more of Matt’s stories here. Follow him on X, or email him here.
Seattle, WA
VIDEO: Scream Club Seattle keeps growing, midway through first year
(Story originally posted 8:22 pm, updated 12:32 am)
By Torin Record-Sand
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
From a distance, they looked like a regular crowd of people enjoying a nice evening walk on the shores of Lincoln Park. But they were gathered here for a singular purpose: to scream. Since September 2025, the Scream Club Seattle has met at Lincoln Park on every third Sunday to scream, led by head organizer Amber Walcker. No explanation, justification, or invitation to scream is needed – come as you are. “There are some harder emotions people come here to deal with, sure, but some people also just come to scream.” head organizer Amber explained.
Tonight’s crowd showed the club is rapidly growing. From around a dozen or so participants in the first gathering in September, tonight seemed to attract around 40 people gathering to let it all out.
As the sun started to set, and everyone was finally gathered together, the Scream Club was ready to begin.
There are only three screams, organizer Amber explained. The first, she said, is a scream to get used to doing it in public. The second scream is there to ground you. And the final – and longest scream – is there to let you have an emotional catharsis.
She also wanted to make sure people were taking care of their vocal health beforehand. As she told everyone to walk a little bit from the meeting place and start to gather near the shore, she instructed the crowd to hum for a few minutes on the way, to warm up the vocal cords.
With that, the crowd walked towards the shore.
“On the count of one – two – three – scream!” said organizer Amber.
You can see our video of the proceedings here. After the screaming, we talked to a few participants about why they came out.
“There’s not one thing that’s really making me want to scream. There’s a lot of stuff going on for me, a lot of emotional ups and downs. Screaming into the ocean together gives you a sense of community.” said Jessie.
“This is my third or fourth time coming to scream. With the political climate, with everything that’s happening, getting together with local community to scream feels more productive than screaming into the internet on social media.” said Ursula.
“This is my first time coming out.” said Liz. “I screamed after the Seahawks won the Super Bowl, and I really felt something. I realized I’ve been feeling a lot of frustration recently, and it felt like coming here was a healthy way to get it out rather than screaming at your neighbors.”
Organizer Amber recognizes much of what they were saying. “Meeting like this can be an important element to have in your mental health toolbox. It’s rare to have scream therapy.” She shared an anecdote about the therapeutic origins of the group, which originally started with a chapter in Chicago. “The founder was a life coach. Their girlfriend was having a bad day, and they encouraged them to go to the Chicago Pier and just let it out. He walked her through the process, and that was that. Eventually they invited more people to come do it.” She hopes to bring that same therapeutic energy to the practice here. “It’s a moment of emotional release more than anything else. Depending on what’s going on in people’s minds, everyone will come here with a different mindset and purpose. We’re providing a safe space to do that.”
Scream Club Seattle meets at Lincoln Park on the first Sunday of every month, and they are also starting to meet on the third Sunday of every month at Golden Gardens in Ballard. Tentatively, the next events will be in Lincoln Park on April 5th around 6 PM, and Golden Gardens on March 15th around 5 PM. If you’d like to know more, you can find them on Instagram here or look at their future events on their Eventbrite page here.
Seattle, WA
Detectives Investigating Robbery, Shooting Over $20 Necklace – SPD Blotter
Seattle police detectives are investigating a robbery and shooting of a 23-year-old man over a $20 necklace in Pioneer Square this morning.
At about 12:40 a.m., patrol officers responded to a shooting in the 500 block of 2nd Avenue. There, they found a victim, bleeding, with a gunshot wound to his right thigh. Police and the Seattle Fire Department treated his injury. Medics took him to Harborview Medical Center (HMC) in stable condition.
Police determined that the victim just left a bar, getting into the passenger seat of his friend’s car, when the suspect, wearing a ski mask and armed with a firearm, approached him and demanded his necklace. They struggled over the item, and the suspect shot the victim in the leg. The shooter fled in a vehicle with the necklace before police arrived. The value of the “chain” is about $20.
Detectives in the Robbery Unit responded to the scene and HMC. Anyone with information is asked to call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip line at 206-233-5000. Anonymous tips are accepted.
Incident Number: 2026-57536
Seattle, WA
Fast Start for Kraken Win, Homestand | Seattle Kraken
That stretch begins with five more home games: A skilled and successful Carolina squad Monday, followed by St. Louis (for the second time in a week) Wednesday, Ottawa next Saturday, then Nashville (just behind Seattle in the West wild-card race) on March 10 and then finishing with Western Conference leader Colorado March 12.
Stars Shine and Star-Crossed Hat Trick
Vince Dunn opened the scoring in his 600th NHL game. Jordan Eberle topped the best Kraken-season goals mark with his 21st and 22nd goals of the year, with 23 games left to flirt with his first 30-plus goals on the year since his sophomore season in 2011-12. Joey Daccord registered 27 saves on the victorious night, including nine high-danger chances in the first 40 minutes alone.
To the fans’ disappointment, the slick-stickhandling Daccord missed a historic goalie goal by inches. But the sellout crowd was rewarded when Eberle cashed in on the Vancouver empty net. Eberle now has four two-goal games this season.
In a bizarre twist, when Eberle scored that empty-netter, Kraken fans rightfully cheered and tossed headwear for what was presumed to be a hat-trick score. But after Eberle scored, the scoring change on the Kraken’s power play goal was announced when off-ice officials realized Eberle’s shot had just ever-so-slightly deflected off Matty Beniers’ skate. So no hat trick for the second time this season. Linemate Jared McCann and hat-tossing fans thought the Kraken’s all-time leading scorer had notched a hat trick earlier this season, only to have it reversed when an offside infraction by, wait for it, Beniers, erased the goal.
Eberle joked post-game that maybe fans deserved some hats. The Kraken captain also said when Daccord missed by inches on his goalie goal, he was on the bench saying, “he got it, he got it.” Post-game, Eberle said, “It’s just a matter of time before he gets one” because he greatly admires the goaltender’s puck-handling skills.
The Kraken came out fast Saturday night with two goals, a couple of near-misses, lots of scoring attempts and pucks on net during the first 20 minutes. One near-miss was a hard wrist shot from Jordan Eberle that clanged off the far post. But no matter, Eberle scored a pivotal goal in the second period, getting in front of a Vancouver shot and chasing his own ricochet to create a breakaway with his still-elite speed. The 35-year-old Seattle captain went to his lethal backhand to beat Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen. Eberle’s tally re-upped the two-goal lead.
Good night for Kraken special teams as well. The penalty killer snuffed an early third period Canucks power play to keep the two-score cushion. Later third period, Matty Beniers scored on the power play, deflecting an Eberle shot, to push the score to 4-1. Chandler Stephenson earned his second point of the night with the primary assist. Same for Dunn, who notched the second assist. The Kraken needed just 10 seconds to score the man-advantage marker.
Captaining His Best Kraken Season…
It is Eberle’s 21st goal of the season. The next one he scores will set a new high as a Kraken for the teammate everyone calls “Ebs.” That makes it three of five seasons that Eberle has scored 20 or more goals. Eberle almost scored again later second period when matching cross-checking penalties on SEA forward Kaapo Kakko and VAN defenseman Filip Hronek. The ensuing 4-on-4 play was dominated by the Kraken quartet of Eberle, Matty Beniers, Brandon Montour and Ryker Evans. Beniers stood with some moves and an improv that had future Hall of Fame play-by-play man John Forslund saying, “Beniers did everything but score.” It was heartening to see Seattle flexing its offensive chops with a 3-1 lead.
The Kraken scored twice in an opening 20 minutes played to order, returning to the hard forechecking game they exhibited on a heater 10-game streak before the Olympic break. The starting goalie did his part, stopping all nine of Vancouver’s shots in the first 20 minutes to bring confidence to the first-intermission home locker room.
Jumping Out of the Starting Blocks
The Kraken faithful were mega-decibel loud during the announcement of the starting lineups, welcoming back Olympian bronze medalists Kaapo Kakko and Eeli Tolvanen, as well as Seattle teammates. This week’s two road losses forgotten, replaced by rousing cheers for starters and fourth-liners Freddy Gaudreau, centering Jacob Melanson and Ben Meyers (on the wing for the first since a road matchup in LA right before the winter holiday break).
Defenseman Cale Fleury and Ryker Evans rounded out the skaters in front of Joey Daccord. It’s not a stretch to think head coach Lane Lambert was sending a message with his fourth line and third pair getting the first shift after losing two games in the Midwest by a composite score of 9-2.
Saturday morning, both defenseman Vince Dunn and Lambert both talked about what would be the ideal first 10 to 20 minutes in this Pacific Division showdown with rival Vancouver.
“We need to play simple and hard and direct,” said Dunn, who was playing in his 600th NHL game, 333 with Seattle. “I think we’re very connected when we can get our forecheck going. I think the way we play as a five-man unit is that we slow teams down and don’t get scrambled in our own end. We’re more patient in our own end and letting guys accept their positions and roles and areas that they need to defend in.
“Right away, we need to start shooting pucks … the past two games, the shot count hasn’t been where we wanted it to be in the first 10 minutes. So let’s get some looks and see what happens. Let’s see if we can get the other team scrambling.”
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