Soundside_20240717_Ashley-Hiruko-OPA

A few months ago, Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz was demoted following numerous HR complaints – and legal filings – during his time at the helm of the SPD. Those complaints include claims of discriminatory behavior by Diaz toward women and people of color. There were also rumors of a relationship with an employee.

Diaz has denied those allegations, but in May, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced that Diaz would no longer lead the department and appointed former-King County Sheriff Sue Rahr to replace him as interim police chief. 

But in a recent unsigned letter sent to the Seattle City Council, a whistleblower has alleged that the department’s issues could continue even after Diaz -- because the agency tasked with holding SPD accountable hasn’t been doing its job. 

KUOW’s Ashley Hiruko has been reporting on all of these developments and joined Soundside to discuss a letter confirmed to be written by a whistleblower within the Office of Police Accountability. 

Guests: 
Ashley Hiruko, KUOW investigative reporter

Recommended Links:
KUOW - Seattle Police watchdog heads ignored complaints against former Chief Adrian Diaz: letter to council
KUOW - Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz is being dismissed
KUOW - Interim SPD Chief talks SPD culture, school safety, and whether to bring officers back to campuses

A few months ago, Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz was demoted following numerous HR complaints – and legal filings – during his time at the helm of the SPD. <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-police-chief-adrian-diaz-is-being-dismisse">Those complaints include</a> claims of discriminatory behavior by Diaz toward women and people of color. There were also rumors of a relationship with an employee.
Diaz has denied those allegations, but in May, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced that Diaz would no longer lead the department and appointed former-King County Sheriff Sue Rahr to replace him as interim police chief. 
But in a recent unsigned letter sent to the Seattle City Council, a whistleblower has alleged that the department’s issues could continue even after Diaz -- because the agency tasked with holding SPD accountable hasn’t been doing its job. 
KUOW’s Ashley Hiruko has been reporting on all of these developments and joined Soundside to discuss a letter confirmed to be written by a whistleblower within the Office of Police Accountability. 
Guests: 
<ul>
<li>Ashley Hiruko, KUOW investigative reporter</li>
</ul>
Recommended Links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/police-watchdog-heads-ignored-complaints-against-former-chief-adrian-diaz-letter-to-council">KUOW - Seattle Police watchdog heads ignored complaints against former Chief Adrian Diaz: letter to council</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-police-chief-adrian-diaz-is-being-dismisse">KUOW - Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz is being dismissed</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/community-resource-officers-once-suspended-should">KUOW - Interim SPD Chief talks SPD culture, school safety, and whether to bring officers back to campuses</a></li>
</ul>

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