Adrian Z. Diaz

For the Spanish ice dancer, see Adrián Díaz.

Adrian Diaz
Chief of the Seattle Police Department
In office
September 2, 2020 – May 29, 2024
MayorJenny Durkan
Bruce Harrell
Preceded byCarmen Best
Succeeded bySue Rahr
Personal details
EducationCentral Washington University (BA)
University of Washington (MPA)

Adrian Z. Diaz is an American law enforcement officer who served as the chief of the Seattle Police Department from 2020 to 2024. Diaz had previously served as deputy chief of the department. Diaz assumed office in an acting capacity on September 2, 2020, following the resignation of Carmen Best.[1][2][3] On September 20, 2022, Diaz was appointed to the permanent position.[4]

Diaz and the Seattle Police Department are facing lawsuits relating to sex and race discrimination from officers in the department. [5][6] On May 29, 2024, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced that Diaz was removed from his position as chief and subsequently reassigned to another division. Former King County Sheriff Sue Rahr was appointed as the interim chief of the department.[7]

  1. ^ Producer, Quixem Ramirez, KOMO News Digital (August 10, 2020). "Seattle Police Chief Best makes stunning retirement announcement after department cuts". KOMO. Retrieved August 11, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "Seattle police chief to quit following city's move to shed dozens of officers". Los Angeles Times. August 11, 2020. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  3. ^ "Seattle's Police Chief Resigns After Council Votes To Cut Department Funds". NPR.org. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  4. ^ Taylor, Sarah Grace (September 20, 2022). "Mayor Bruce Harrell appoints Diaz permanent Seattle police chief". Seattle Times.
  5. ^ "SPD captain claims Chief Diaz has 'history of misogyny' in newly-filed lawsuit". KIRO 7 News Seattle. January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  6. ^ "Black SPD detective of 43 years sues over years of alleged racism, 'culture of retaliation'". KIRO 7 News Seattle. November 9, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  7. ^ https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/adrian-diaz-out-as-seattle-police-chief/281-067be874-a2d6-495c-974e-e857824cecca