Deputy Seattle Police Chief Removed From Command Staff

SEATTLE, WA — Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best announced the demotion of her deputy chief Monday, roughly four months after comments he made at a city council meeting generated considerable backlash.

As reported in October by The C Is For Crank, Deputy Chief Marc Garth Green had a heated exchange with city councilmembers during a hearing where he defended the department's targeting of sex workers for arrest and claimed some women "enjoyed" working on the street. According to Crosscut's David Kroman, Chief Best sent an apology letter to the City Council two days later.

In a statement posted Monday evening, Best makes no mention of the October exchange, instead acknowledging Green's work on the command staff.

"I sincerely appreciate the contribution of Marc Garth Green stepping into the role of Deputy Chief. However, we have agreed that it is best for the organization that he return to his civil service rank of Lieutenant," Best wrote.

According to a profile on the city's website, Green has been with the Seattle Police Department for 19 years, formerly serving as a patrol officer, sergeant, SWAT team member and patrol operations lieutenant.

Green's departure from leadership staff was among several changes to the command structure announced by the Seattle Police Department Monday night. Best said the department will bring back the "Homeland Security Bureau," tasked with managing hundreds of events and demonstrations annually, and headed by Assistant Chief Eric Greening.

The chief's announcement also included two promotions: Captain Tom Mahaffey to Assistant Chief of Patrol Operations, and Lieutenant Matt Allen moving to Captain, leading the West Precinct.

Best said the deputy chief position will remain vacant "until further notice."