Carmen Best Nominated As New Seattle Police Chief

SEATTLE, WA - A little over a week ago, interim Seattle police Chief Carmen Best was eliminated as a candidate to become permanent chief.

On Tuesday morning, she was nominated by Mayor Jenny Durkan as Seattle's new police chief.

It's still not clear how Best went from non-contender to Durkan's top choice, and the mayor sidestepped questions about what exactly happened.

The three finalists for the job - former Pittsburgh chief Cameron McLay, Austin police Assistant Chief Ely Reyes, and Minneapolis police Inspector Eddie Frizell - were selected May 25. The omission of Best outraged some in Seattle. Durkan and members of the commission that selected the finalists stressed that finding an "outsider" was important.

On July 7 - a Saturday - Durkan's office revealed that McLay had dropped out of consideration. That created an opening for Best to become a finalist.

When asked Tuesday by a reporter to "explain" what changed between May 25 and last weekend, she had no direct answer.

"I got the best chief of police right here," Durkan said.

Best has worked for 26 years in various roles at Seattle police. She began her career as a patrol officer and has worked as a deputy chief, investigator, and in community outreach.

"We're going to move ahead with a culture of continuous improvement and innovation," Best said in remarks Tuesday. Best takes over a department that is still operating under a federal consent decree.

Durkan said Best is the right person for the job because she knows the city and its officers, and already has the trust of many community leaders.

"She has earned this through hard work, dedication, and service," Durkan said Tuesday. "She will work her heart out."

Best's appointment is still subject to City Council approval.

File photo by Neal McNamara/Patch