Deputy Chief Carmen Best oversees the Patrol Operations, Criminal Investigations, Special Operations Bureaus, and the Community Outreach section of the Seattle Police Department.
Best has worked for the Seattle Police Department since 1992. Her assignments include Uniformed Patrol, School Safety, Department Spokeswomen, Patrol Supervisor, Media Relations Supervisor, Watch Commander, Operations Lieutenant, Narcotics Proactive Commander, Robbery/Gangs/Fugitive Commander, Community Outreach Commander, South Precinct Commander, and Assistant Chief of Investigations.
Best has a B. A. from Western Illinois University, a certificate in Police Management from the University of Washington and certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia. She completed the Senior Management Institute for Police in 2006, the FBI National Academy in 2010 and the Criminal Justice Executive Leadership Academy in 2013. She is a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Latino Police Officers Association, The International Association of Chiefs of Police and Tabor 100. She is an avid supporter of the A+ program for youth and is on the trustee board of Lakeside School.
Deputy Chief Best was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and has five generations of family living in the Seattle/Tacoma area. She is married and has two daughters who are both attending college.
