Seattle has cycled through 9 police chiefs in 17 years

Catch up quick: Since Gil Kerlikowske left to join the Obama administration after nine years on the job in 2009, no permanent chief has served more than four years.

Since then, the department has turned over early and often:

• John Diaz (2009-13): Retired as the department entered a federal consent decree following the DOJ's findings of widespread excessive force following high-profile incidents, including the fatal shooting of Native American woodcarver John T. Williams.
• Kathleen O'Toole (2014-17): Left for a position in Ireland after leading the department's federal consent decree reforms.
• Carmen Best (2018-20): Retired abruptly after the City Council voted to cut the police budget amid the 2020 racial justice protests and the CHOP occupation, saying she felt targeted by city leaders.
• Adrian Diaz (2020-24): Fired after he was found to have violated department policies amid allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation. He denied wrongdoing.
• Shon Barnes (2025-26): Stepped down after 18 months.

Plus: The city has had four interim police chiefs, including Andre Sayles, whom Wilson appointed when Barnes resigned.

What's next: Mayor Wilson said the search for what could be the city's 10th police chief in 17 years will begin soon.