FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/8/2013
Councilmember Tim Burgess
Councilmember Tim Burgess responds to the retirement of Chief Diaz
Seattle — City Councilmember Tim Burgess issued the following statement today in response to today’s announcement that Chief Diaz will retire:
"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."