Response to the Announced Retirement of Chief Diaz

I thank Chief Diaz for his 33 years of dedicated service to the people of Seattle. The life of a police officer is rarely an easy one and John has served this city faithfully.

This is a critical time for our police department. New leadership is necessary for implementing the reforms that will lead us to where we should be focused: more effective and evidence-based policing, preventing crime rather than just responding to it after it has occurred, and improved police-community relations.

Chief Diaz’s retirement gives us an opportunity to move forward with new leadership. The chief of police is one of the most important positions in city government.