NEWS GLEAMS | Former Police Chief Adrian Diaz Fired; King County Metro Closes Bus Stops at 12th and Jackson

Mayor Bruce Harrell sent a letter to the Seattle City Council on Tuesday indicating his decision to fire former Seattle Police Department (SPD) Chief Adrian Diaz, who was demoted from his role on May 28 because of controversies around his enabling of a toxic workplace culture and allegations of an inappropriate workplace relationship.

Harrell's letter said evidence of "an intimate and romantic relationship" existed between Diaz and his former Director of Communications Jamie Tompkins, whom he had supervised directly. Evidence included conversations Diaz had had with other officers, as well as the presence of a handwritten card given to Diaz by the former employee. The card allegedly indicated the presence of an intimate or romantic relationship between the two.

Diaz's attorney declined to comment on the news of his firing, which was first broken by KUOW.

When Diaz was demoted, interim Police Chief Sue Rahr came out of retirement to take his place as the City of Seattle undertook a nationwide search for the next police chief. One month later, in June, Diaz came out as gay on The Jason Rantz Show, saying his role as police chief did not allow him to be forthcoming about his sexuality.

Harrell had hired an independent firm in early May to investigate harassment claims levied by four female SPD officers who cited a hostile work environment, harassment, and sexual discrimination. Yet later in the month, during the press conference related to Diaz's demotion, Harrell touted the successes of SPD and the "outstanding" accomplishments of Diaz, whom he said he "met in community" and "had credibility in many underrepresented communities."

The relationship between the two has since shifted. Diaz was placed on administrative leave in October, while the Office of Inspector General conducted its own investigation. Later that month, Diaz filed a $10 million tort claim against Harrell and a number of other employees, citing that "the city wrongfully discharged and discriminated, harassed and retaliated against former Chief Diaz when he expressed his sexual orientation to Mayor Harrell and Deputy Mayor Burgess, and refused to commit an illegal act."

The next SPD chief is expected to be announced by the end of the year. Though the mayor's office has declined to comment, The Jason Rantz Show broke the story that Shon Barnes, current chief of the Madison Police Department, is among the leading contenders. Barnes has made headlines this week because of a mass shooting at a Catholic school, in which three were left dead, including the shooter, who was a 15-year-old girl.

King County Metro has closed bus stops along South Jackson Street and 12th Avenue South in the Chinatown-International District's Little Saigon area, citing "safety concerns." Affected routes include the 1, 7, 9, 14, 36, 60, and 106 bus lines, which will impact riders who may be traveling from downtown or Capitol Hill to numerous neighborhoods in South Seattle and Renton.

The decision for the closures was made by King County Metro, not the Seattle Police Department (SPD), despite consistent SPD presence in the area. A King County Metro spokesperson cited "frequent illegal activity" at the locations as being "a safety issue for our riders, transit operators, and facilities employees." He added that passengers are often uncomfortable with using the stops to board or depart.

In total, four stops at the corner will be closed. The nearby First Hill Streetcar, just a half-block away to the east, will not be affected.

On Saturday, Dec. 21, WHEEL will host a vigil to honor the 279 homeless people who died outside in King County this year. A record number of 44 individuals passed away in November, which WHEEL organizers note was aligned with the implementation of new "Stay Out of Drug Area" (SODA) and "Stay Out of Areas of Prostitution" (SOAP) legislation.

The event will begin with a sunset ritual at 4:21 p.m. at the Tree of Life in Victor Steinbrueck Park, followed by a silent vigil from 5 to 6 p.m. on the steps of City Hall. 

The National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day vigil will take place on Saturday, Dec. 21, from 4:21 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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