What to know about Sue Rahr, Seattle's new interim police chief (2024)

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 reassignedto work on "special projects."

Rahr told the mayor she would not be a candidate for the role of permanent police chief, but will help to select a group of final candidates. The mayor said he was thankful Rahr paused retirement to accept the interim position and tthe would be conducting a national search to fill the 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 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 from the department in 2012.

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

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.

Rahr said Wednesday systemic changes are needed in the Seattle Police Department.

"We cant keep playing Whac-A-Mole every time there is an allegation here or there," Rahr said. "Until we change the system we are not going to have meaningful change and that was one of the things that really led me to this opportunity is to actually do something that is going to matter."

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

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.”

Former King County Sheriff John Urquhart was an employee of Rahr. This is what he told KING 5 about what to expect:

“One thing I will say about her is she doesn’t suffer fools very well," Urquhart said. "So I can see her going in there and making changes, not being afraid to make changes as she sees the Seattle Police Department, primarily in the command staff."

Multiple sources inside the police department told KING 5 on Wednesday that Deputy Chief Eric Barden had cleaned out his desk as part of the SPD leadership shake up. When asked about it during yesterday’s press conference, the mayor did not answer. In an interview Thursday, Natalie Swaby asked Harrell to clarify whether Barden was still deputy chief.

"I believe he is the chief. I know, today, interim Chief Rahr is meeting with my Deputy Mayor Tim Burgess discussing that situation. And, I don’t know more about that so, I think today, which is Thursday, he is still on regular duty," said Harrell. "There is discussions about him possibly being on administrative leave, but I don’t know where we are on those discussions, nor will I make those decisions. That’s a decision made up to the chief.”

Late Thursday afternoon, KING confirmed Barden spent the day with the interim chief and continues to serve as deputy chief, as he has for the past year. KING expects to hear from Rahr about her plans for the command staff soon.

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.

Editor's note: KING 5 has updated the story to clarify that Eric Barden remains in his deputy chief role as of Thursday afternoon.