Gil Kerlikowske timeline

July 2000 — Mayor Paul Schell introduces Kerlikowske as Seattle's new police chief, hoping to quell a string of problems under his predecessor, Norm Stamper.

March 2001 — Kerlikowske faces a major crisis over the department's slow response to the Mardi Gras riot that left one man dead and 70 people with injuries.

December 2001 — Kerlikowske meets with incoming Mayor Greg Nickels, who opts to keep the chief after initial reservations.

March 2002 — The Seattle Police Officers' Guild votes no confidence in the chief, citing his public reprimand of an officer for being rude to a group of young jaywalkers while not disciplining commanders over the Mardi Gras riot. Nickels stands by the chief.

September 2004 — Kerlikowske allows himself to be jolted with 50,000 volts of electricity as part of a demonstration of the Taser's nonlethal efficiency.

June 2007 — A civilian-review-board report accuses Kerlikowske of repeatedly interfering in an internal investigation into the actions of a pair of officers, damaging the credibility of the police force to the point that increased oversight is needed. Kerlikowske defends his actions but says he is open to changes in the way the department polices itself.

June 2007 — Confronted with growing complaints about police misconduct, Nickels announces the formation of a panel of prominent citizens to review the handling of internal investigations in the Police Department.

January 2008 — The mayor's panel recommends sharper scrutiny of officers and tougher discipline for misconduct under a sweeping set of proposals. Nickels and the police union ultimately accept the proposals.

June 2008 — Kerlikowske unveils a declining violent-crime rate in 2007, calling it the lowest in about 40 years.

February 2009 — Kerlikowske informs his command staff he plans to leave to accept a post in the Obama administration.

Source: Seattle Times archives

and staff reports