What to know about Sue Rahr, Seattle’s new interim police chief

SEATTLE — Seattle’s new interim police chief has been a mainstay in law enforcement for over 40 years. 

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said at a press conference Wednesday that Sue Rahr will be the Seattle Police Department interim chief, replacing Adrian Diaz. Harrell said Diaz would be reassigned to work on “special projects.”

Rahr began her law enforcement career as a deputy with the King County Sheriff’s Office in 1979. She worked her way through the department ranks until she was elected King County Sheriff in 2005. Rahr served as sheriff for another seven years before she retired in 2012.

As sheriff, the Municipal League named Rahr the “2010 Elected Official of the Year.”

Rahr told the mayor she would not be a candidate for the role of permanent police chief. The department will be conducting a national search to fill the position.

The mayor said he was thankful Rahr paused retirement to accept the interim position.

“I am incredibly honored to step in and steer the ship as the mayor identifies a new chief,” Rahr said. “I just have a couple of things I want to say. First to the men and women of the SPD: you are going through some turbulence right now. I recognize that and I want to do whatever I can to reassure you that we are going to get through this.”

Rahr’s tenure as sheriff focused on de-escalation, along with the creation of the L.E.E.D (listen, explain, equity and dignity) program. The role of police officers was switched from “warriors” to “guardians” under Rahl’s tenure.

Rahr left the King County Sheriff’s Office in 2012 to become the executive director of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. 

She was later named to President Barack Obama’s task force on 21st-century policing, which was created after a series of officer-involved shootings. 

Harrell touted Rahr as an expert on “modern policing” and recruiting.

“Sue Rahr is uniquely qualified to step into the position,” Harrell said. “She will be an outstanding leader for our police department, focused on strengthening recruitment, advancing institutional culture change and, most important, creating safety for all of our neighbors.”

Rahr said the first thing she would do once in office is listen to the men and women in the Seattle Police Department to understand what they are going through in the field.

“Simply put she is the right person at the right time to lead SPD into its next chapter,” Harrell said.

Multiple sources confirmed to KING 5 that Eric Barden is no longer deputy chief and was seen cleaning out his desk Tuesday night.

Diaz, 48, was sworn in as police chief in January 2023. In recent months, he’s been at the forefront of a department hit with multiple lawsuits, some directed at Diaz himself.