Carmen Best will be considered for Seattle police chief, after all

Carmen Best, Seattle’s interim police chief, will be considered for the top job, after all.

Best had been snubbed in May when she didn’t make it to the final rounds for the police chief spot. Best, 53, was the only internal candidate. She began her career with the Seattle Police Department in 1992 and became acting chief on Jan. 1 after Chief Kathleen O’Toole stepped down.

Not being included among the final three candidates created a fracas among her supporters, who loudly voiced their disappointment.

But Best is back in the running now because one of the three finalists withdrew from consideration — Cameron McLay, former Pittsburgh police chief, may be hired by the city to assist Mayor Jenny Durkan with police reform.

"I met with former Chief McLay, reviewed his competitive exam materials, and have spoken with a number of individuals including the Mayor of Pittsburgh about his work,” Durkan said in a statement. “He understands the complexity of policing and has been a national leader on police reform.”

Durkan then asked the team that came up with the three finalists to find a new third candidate. They chose Best. The other two candidates are Eddie Frizell, inspector with the Minneapolis Police Department, and Ely Reyes, assistant chief in Austin.