Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz, who was recently accused by four female officers in the department of discrimination, harassment, and maintaining a hostile work environment, has denied these allegations, labeling them as false. In a recent interview, Diaz also publicly stated for the first time that he is gay, addressing concerns of misogyny despite his sexual orientation. Diaz, who was removed from his position last month and reassigned, refuted the claims made against him in a claim for damages filed by the women in April, stating that they were false and, in some instances, fabricated.
Diaz, who assumed the role of interim chief in 2020 after the resignation of previous chief Carmen Best, highlighted his efforts in navigating the department through the final stages of federal oversight initiated after a police shooting incident in 2010. The consent decree provisions were mostly terminated last year, marking a significant accomplishment. However, Diaz’s tenure was marred by lawsuits and other serious allegations, including those brought forth by the four female officers, Lauren Truscott, Kame Spencer, Judinna Gulpan, and Valerie Carson, who filed the claim against Diaz, Lt. John O’Neil, and human resources manager Rebecca McKechnie.
The claim detailed instances of alleged inappropriate behavior, such as O’Neil making physical advances towards Spencer and Diaz singling out Carson, causing her to remain at work after hours. The claim described Diaz’s conduct as “predatory and discriminatory,” noting his failure to reprimand others for inappropriate behavior. Another lawsuit was filed by Eric Greening, a department veteran, who accused Diaz of retaliation after reporting discriminatory practices. Deanna Nollette, who rose to the rank of assistant chief, also sued Diaz and the police department for wage, gender, and job discrimination, alleging he demoted her after applying for the chief’s position.
Despite the mounting legal challenges, Diaz expressed his struggle with compromised reputation and the impact of the accusations on his leadership. He mentioned facing resistance to coming out as gay while serving as police chief, indicating some opposition to his sexual orientation within certain circles. Diaz shared his contemplation of becoming the chief of the Austin Police Department, highlighting his hopes for the opportunity and showcasing his qualifications and value. While Diaz refrained from commenting on the pending litigation due to the sensitive nature of the allegations, he emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on his contributions and leadership despite the controversy surrounding him.
