Police chief switch-ups in Seattle and Bellevue: Today So Far

• Bellevue is getting a familiar face for its new police chief, and in Seattle ... it's a bit more complicated.
• Washington state is getting a little pushback from its Northwest neighbors.
• RIP Mark Lanegan.

This post originally appeared in KUOW's Today So Far newsletter for Feb. 23, 2022.

Washington state is getting a little pushback from its Northwest neighbors. Gas taxes can be controversial in Washington, so Democratic lawmakers have opted for a different approach this session — tax Alaska, Idaho, and Oregon instead. The main idea here is this: most of the fossil fuels used in the Northwest are processed in Washington state; lawmakers want to place a 6 cents per gallon tax on the gas sent to those three states. The revenue would fund transportation projects. The idea seems to be fueling ire and significant pushback from our neighbors, however, it keeps moving forward through the Legislature. Read more here.

Even if you don't immediately know the name, you know Mark Lanegan, especially if you are familiar with the musical talent that surged through the 1980s and 1990s. Lanegan passed away this week at his home in Ireland. He was born in Ellensburg and grew to become one of the most influential figures in Northwest music and beyond. Lanegan was the voice behind the Screaming Trees and was a member of the Seattle supergroup Mad Season. He collaborated on special projects with Kurt Cobain and eventually helped form Queens of the Stone Age. So take some time to throw on your favorite Lanegan album (for me, it's Sweet Oblivion) in honor of one of Seattle's great musical talents.

Finally, our area is in the midst of some police chief switch ups these days.

Steve Mylett stepped down as Bellevue's police chief in July 2021. Since then, Wendell Shirley has been Bellevue's interim chief ... until today. Shirley has been officially appointed at BPD's chief. Shirley previously retired from law enforcement, but he reportedly felt the need to return to duty as calls for police reform grew louder in recent years. He came to BPD as assistant chief in March 2021. Chief Shirley says he believes in the "PIE philosophy," which stands for "Prevention, Intervention and Enforcement."

The police chief situation is more complicated in Seattle. Adrian Diaz has been SPD's interim chief for a year and a half. And as KUOW's Ashley Hiruko reports, Diaz is the city's only contender for the job right now.

Let's take a quick look at the past few years that have led to this point.

Carmen Best entered the role as interim chief in January 2018. When it became apparent that Best wasn't being considered for the permanent job, there was considerable pushback and outcry from leaders among Seattle's African-American community and grassroots organizations. Best was put in the running and ultimately got the gig.

Fast forward two years — Best left the job after the City Council pursued cuts to SPD's funding. She also came under criticism amid 2020's protests for racial justice and the abandonment of the East Precinct under her watch. Since then, she has released a book and has been considered for a commissioner job in New York City.

Interim Chief Diaz has led the department since August 2020. Mayor Bruce Harrell's office says it’s "important that Chief Diaz have the opportunity to show his leadership as chief while in this interim position." Unlike the intensive process for hiring a police chief — which involves a national search, a committee, and City Council approval — the interim role is an appointment that doesn't go under the same scrutiny. What is known about Diaz is that, like Best, he's been with the department as it has undergone its recent evolution and has worked on youth-violence prevention in Seattle. Also, he's super into Disney movies. At this point, Mayor Harrell aims to decide how to handle the police chief situation by the end of March.

Have a comment or want to reach out to me? Send me an email at dyer@kuow.org.

AS SEEN ON KUOW

Hana Alemu at a birthday party in Ethiopia, before she was adopted by a Skagit County family and came to the U.S. in 2008. Her death in 2011 revealed the harsh, abusive conditions she was adopted into. Northwest author David Guterson explores this story, which is personal for him, in his new book. (Courtesy of David Guterson)

DID YOU KNOW?

The very first tie for "Best Song" in Grammy history was on this day, Feb. 23, 1978. The two songs that won were: Debby Boone’s “You Light Up My Life” and Barbra Streisand’s “Love Theme from A Star Is Born.”

While I'm not knocking those songs, the full list of songs up for consideration included "Hotel California" by The Eagles. I have to admit that I'm startled that those two songs tied ahead of "Hotel California," which has proven to stand the test of time and is now considered a classic. Just goes to prove that, sometimes, award shows like this aren't the best metric for greatness.

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