Mayor Mike McGinn announced his selection of current interim Seattle Police Chief John Diaz to take on the permanent post Thursday, June 24. Seattle Channel recorded the mayor’s announcement, which you can watch below.
Diaz stepped in as interim chief when former Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske left to take up a new position as the nation’s Drug Control Policy Director. The mayor had narrowed the selection pool down the three finalists last month, including Diaz, Sacramento police chief Rick Braziel and East Palo Alto, California police chief Ron Davis, when Braziel withdrew from the race. For more information on Diaz and what’s in store for the Seattle Police Department, read this piece by our news partner, The Seattle Times.
Seattle Channel has posted the video online from the “City Inside/Out” series featuring the three contenders: Current interim Seattle Police Chief John Diaz (.pdf); Rick Braziel (.pdf), the current chief of police in Sacramento; and Ron Davis (.pdf), the chief of police in East Palo Alto, California. Unlike the forum format, on the show all three candidates participated in a dialogue together rather than speaking and answering questions independently.
Mayor Mike McGinn is expected to make a final decision sometime this month, which will then be subject to City Council approval. Read up on the candidates here.
Mayor Mike McGinn is hosting a community forum on Wednesday, June 2, where the three Seattle Police Chief finalists will discuss their experience and answer questions from the public.
Mayor McGinn began looking for a new police chief back in January, after former Chief Gil Kerlikowske left his post to take a presidentially appointed position as the nation’s Drug Control Policy Director. Narrowing down the list provided by the 26-member Police Chief Search Committee, McGinn has settled on the final three: Rick Braziel (.pdf), the current chief of police in Sacramento; Ron Davis (.pdf), the chief of police in East Palo Alto, California; and Interim Seattle Police Chief John Diaz (.pdf).
The forum will begin at 6 p.m. in Seattle Center’s Rainier Room. It will be moderated by Search Committee Co-Chairman Charles Rolland and will have opening remarks by Mayor McGinn. Each candidate will give a five-minute presentation, followed by a half-hour of discussion, in which audience members are encouraged to submit questions. Various community representatives will also be present with prepared questions for the candidates, and translators will be available to help anyone who needs assistance.
Mayor McGinn is expected to make a final decision sometime in June, subject to the Seattle City Council’s confirmation of his police chief appointment.
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