Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz has filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming unlawful termination, defamation, discrimination, and retaliation. In his complaint, Diaz asserts that throughout his 27-year law enforcement career, he has never faced any disciplinary actions.
On October 11, 2024, Diaz submitted a notice of claim seeking $10 million in damages from the city. His lawsuit alleges that in 2024, he refused to comply with what he described as “unlawful directives” from Mayor Bruce Harrell, which involved terminating and disciplining Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers without ensuring their due process rights.
In a statement regarding the lawsuit, Diaz expressed his deep connection to the city, saying, “A year ago, Mayor Bruce Harrell relieved me of my duties as Seattle’s Chief of Police. Seattle holds a special place in my heart, and I have always believed in its potential and its people. Over 28 years, I maintained an impeccable record as a Seattle Police Officer, dedicated to serving the community with integrity.”
He further claimed that city leaders unfairly accused him of dishonesty and unprofessional conduct, asserting that critical evidence which disproves these allegations was ignored. Diaz also mentioned that he voluntarily took a polygraph test that confirmed the truthfulness of his statements during the investigation, and a handwriting expert discredited the key evidence cited by the city in his termination.
Due to the circumstances, Diaz felt compelled to pursue legal action for justice. In response, a spokesperson from Mayor Harrell’s office stated, “We typically do not comment on active litigation; however, we will say this: When all we had was rumor and innuendo regarding Adrian Diaz, we took him at his word. After receiving the facts from an independent investigation, he was terminated for dishonesty. We are confident that the litigation process will reveal the truth.”
Harrell had removed Diaz from his position earlier that year, citing numerous lawsuits alleging harassment and discrimination against him. Following Diaz’s departure, former King County Sheriff Sue Rahr was appointed as interim chief while the city conducted a nationwide search for a new leader.
Weeks after his removal, Diaz publicly came out as gay in an interview with Seattle radio host Jason Rantz. His lawsuit claims he faced discrimination after revealing his sexual orientation to Mayor Harrell and City Councilmember Burgess.
In June 2024, Harrell told KOMO News Senior Reporter Chris Daniels that Diaz had disclosed his sexual orientation to him in March, praising him for sharing this personal information. At the time of his termination, Diaz was facing allegations from multiple female officers regarding a culture of “misogyny, sexism, discrimination, and harassment” within the department.
Under state law, a claimant must wait 60 days between submitting a notice of claim and filing a lawsuit.
