Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz Slams Allegations

Announcing that he had interviewed for a job in another state, former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz denied allegations of misconduct toward female employees in an interview Monday on The Jason Rantz Show.

In the same interview, he publicly came out as gay.

“I want to make sure people understand who I am,” Diaz told Rantz, explaining why he wanted to do the interview. “I want to live my truth. I don't want to be hidden behind a curtain or anything like that. I want another opportunity to serve a city. And you know, it's not easy when you have false allegations against you. I don't want to have any secrets if I decide to go to another city.

Diaz said the decision to end his tenure as chief last month after four years was made in partnership with Mayor Bruce Harrell, who made clear during a news conference last month that the allegations had become too distracting.

Harrell named Sue Rahr, the former King County sheriff, as interim chief. Diaz is still employed within the department, although his rank, salary or duties are unclear. He would work on “special missions,” Harrell said last month.

An attempt to reach Diaz was unsuccessful.

The former chief told Rantz he is now considering his options, saying he is in the running for a police chief position in Austin, Texas.

Diaz, who has a wife and three children, said in the interview that he realized he was gay more than four years ago. He said the issues the department was facing made it difficult to find the right time to make its views known.

In the interview, he cited his sexuality as the reason the allegations against him were false.

“There's never been a good time to say, 'Hey, I'm a gay man.' ” Diaz said. “And then the accusation started coming. And in my head I'm like clearly these (allegations) are not true. And no one gave me the opportunity.

Four women who worked in the department filed a tort lawsuit in April for $5 million, alleging gender discrimination and harassment by Diaz and other department heads.

The claim stated that Diaz appeared to be “grooming” one of these women, Valerie Carson. After joining the public affairs unit, Carson alleges that Diaz offered to replace the windows in her home and commented on her clothing, which made Carson uncomfortable.

Additionally, the allegation continues, Carson regularly changed out of her uniform into civilian clothes in one of the cubicles during her shift because there were no women's locker rooms upstairs. According to the claim, other officers alerted Carson before passing by.

“Chief Diaz, on the other hand, would simply enter Ms. Carson’s space,” the statement said. “…Ms. Carson believes Chief Diaz did this because he was hoping to catch her changing clothes.”

Diaz told Rantz he had worked for other people.

“I've done so much work. And my 90-year-old neighbor literally helped her with the plumbing,” he said. “Does this mean I’m going to sleep with her?” This is simply not the case.

Diaz has also been named in lawsuits.

In January, Deanna Nollette, deputy chief for criminal investigations, alleged that Diaz had a history of misogyny and retaliated against her for applying for the chief position.

And in November, Detective Denise “Cookie” Bouldin filed a lawsuit, alleging she experienced daily racism and gender discrimination during her 43 years with SPD.

“I mean, just because you’re gay doesn’t mean you can’t be a misogynist,” Diaz said. “But I know who I am and I know what I did. And I know that I have always been true to myself and I have always treated people well and with respect.

Materials from The Seattle Times archives were used in this report.