Seattle police union president won't seek reelection

Catch up quick: Solan took office shortly before the COVID lockdowns and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, which led to calls to defund the police nationwide and in Seattle, a position he staunchly opposed.

• Eight of Seattle's nine City Council members called for Solan to resign in 2021 after he blamed the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, in part, on Black Lives Matter protesters, according to the Seattle Times.
• In early 2023, Solan accused the Seattle Police Department of "spying" on officers by using AI to analyze body camera footage without union approval.
• Months later, body-cam footage of an officer joking with Solan about the death of 23-year-old Jaahnavi Kandula, who was struck by a police cruiser, ignited international outrage and national scrutiny.

What they're saying: "I got elected about a month before the Floyd riots in 2020, and it has been a battle ever since," Solan said Dec. 31 on his "Hold the Line" podcast.

Between the lines: Multiple attempts this week to reach Solan by telephone and through the union were unsuccessful.

What we're watching: Who succeeds Solan at the helm of the police guild — and whether they will strike a less confrontational approach.