Seattle Police Chief John Diaz

This morning, Mayor McGinn announced interim police chief John Diaz would be taking over the position permanently. Diaz–a veteran with the department who began his SPD service in 1980–remarked that his selection sent a powerful message to the rank and file that someone who started as a patrol officer could work his or her way to the top. [UPDATE: Chief Diaz’s full statement here.]

McGinn began his remarks by saying that six months ago, Chief Diaz might not have been his first pick, but that through his experience working with Diaz, and seeing his response to the challenges the Seattle Police Department has faced, he felt sure Diaz was the best choice: “The issue here was who was best prepared to deal with the issues of public safety in the city.” McGinn said another factor was the budget, and whether the new chief’s policing strategy took into account doing more with less.

The press scrum at the announcement focused its questions on the department’s sometimes testy relations with the NAACP and on whether Diaz represented the status quo. Diaz responded that the SPD is known nationally for its progressive policing, and that, yes, the SPD had work to do improving its image in minority communities.

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In retrospect, Publicola had it right. A few days ago, McGinn and Diaz appeared together to announce a high-profile policing response to the recent spate of Belltown violence.

Asked whether Diaz’s place at his side today indicated that he had made up his mind, McGinn responded, “We will have an announcement when we have an announcement.”