By Erica C. Barnett

Interim Seattle police chief Sue Rahr told SPD employees on Monday that she has placed former police chief Adrian Diaz on administrative leave, along with Jamie Tompkins, his chief of staff.

In the email, Rahr told staff that she planned to issue the following statement: “Without commenting further on pending personnel matters, the Seattle Police Department can confirm that Executive Adrian Diaz and Director of Communications Jamie Tompkins have both been placed on paid administrative leave.” KUOW wrote about Rahr’s decision, and the statement, on Monday.

Previously, SPD has identified Tompkins as the department’s chief of staff (not communications director) and has confirmed to PubliCola that she still held that position even after Mayor Bruce Harrell removed Diaz as chief and replaced him with Rahr. “Jamie Tomkins is currently employed by the Seattle Police Department as the Chief of Staff,” a spokesman said in July.

Rahr told SPD employees that under ordinary circumstances, “I would not share information about a personnel action department wide. However, because we are responding to media inquiries I prefer for members of SPD to hear this news from me first.”

“As you can imagine, this is a complex situation, and it is inappropriate for me to share any additional details at this time. I will do my best to keep members of SPD informed when it is appropriate. I appreciate your patience as we navigate this situation.”

Harrell removed Diaz as chief after multiple women accused him and other department personnel of sexually harassing and discriminating against them on the basis of gender. A report released earlier this year revealed a culture of widespread misogyny within the department, along with allegations of workplace discrimination that prevents women from being promoted within SPD.

PubliCola is supported entirely by readers like you.
CLICK BELOW to become a one-time or monthly contributor.

Support PubliCola

The Office of Police Accountability launched an investigation into Diaz after several people filed complaints alleging that he and Tompkins had a romantic relationship and that he hired her as a subordinate without disclosing that relationship. Overall, there more than 50 complaints have been filed against Diaz.

Days after Diaz was removed from the top position, he told right-wing radio host Jason Rantz that he is gay, saying that this revelation undermined the claims of the women who have accused him of with sexual harassment, discrimination, and creating a hostile work environment. Specifically, he called allegations that he had a relationship with a female subordinate, and that he sexually harassed another officer, Valerie Carson, “absurd.” Diaz told Rantz there had been many allegations that he was “sleeping with someone,” adding that “we even had an LGBTQ female assistant chief that also had accusations.”

“It’s just sad,” Diaz said.

Since Rahr’s appointment, Diaz has remained on the city’s payroll, with the position “Chief,” collecting a $338,000 salary. He’s currently the subject of three lawsuits alleging gender and racial discrimination, retaliation and harassment.

Diaz threatened PubliCola with a libel lawsuit over our report on his Rantz interview, in which we expressed the view that it seemed like  an attempt to exonerate himself by suggesting that gay men aren’t likely to harass, have romantic relationships with, or discriminate against women on the basis of gender.

PubliCola filed an OPA complaint against Diaz in August, alleging that he violated an SPD policy that prohibits SPD employees, including the chief, from retaliating against anyone who engages in any action that is permitted by law, such as exercising their constitutional rights or publicly criticizing an SPD employee.