Seattle police chief finalists make last pitch for the job

Wrapping up a series of events this week, the three finalists for the job of Seattle police chief spoke Friday about what would make them the best pick for the job, with one openly discussing a disciplinary incident early in his career that he said helped make him a better police officer.

The three — Interim Seattle Police Chief John Diaz; Sacramento, Calif., Police Chief Rick Braziel; and East Palo Alto, Calif., Police Chief Ron Davis — said during separate briefings with reporters that Mayor Mike McGinn must ultimately choose the person who he believes to be the best fit for the job.

McGinn is expected to make his pick sometime this month to replace former Chief Gil Kerlikowske, who left last year to become President Obama's drug czar.

Diaz, 52, said he has developed a "cordial" and "very good" relationship with McGinn during his 15-month tenure as interim chief, even as the mayor has pressed him on some issues.

In all his dealings, Diaz said, it has been his tendency to be "blunt" and efficient with his words. "I'm not a sound-bite guy," he said.

He said one of his top goals was not only to deal with crime reduction but also "fear reduction," a reference to aggressive behaviors of some people on the street.

Braziel, 50, spoke of his ability to deal with tough budget issues, pointing to $20 million in reductions he has made in the past two years, with another $7.4 million to come, while maintaining high morale in his department and bringing down crime.

In Seattle, he would position the budget to deal with the current financial crisis, but also to be ready to do more when the economy improves.

One of his priorities, if picked for the Seattle job, Braziel said, would be getting out in the community and listening to what people want from their Police Department.

Already, he said, he witnessed during his visit this week what a "classy organization" the Seattle Police Department is, as well as the friendliness of people he saw on the street.

"That's a great mix for a police chief," he said.

At the same time, Braziel said, the department faces the task of repairing damage from a videotaped April 17 incident in which two officers kicked a prone Latino man, with one using ethnically charged language.

What particularly disturbed him, he said, was that other officers at the scene didn't step forward and intervene. "I didn't see that happen," Braziel said.

Davis, 46, said he would not be afraid to offer his candid views to McGinn, but only in private because sometimes "to be a leader, you have to a be a follower."

Overall, he said, he wanted to take Seattle from being a safe city to the safest in the country, with better relationships between the police and the community.

Davis candidly discussed his own learning experience as a young officer in Oakland, Calif., where he previously served for 19 years and was suspended for five days early in his career for using unnecessary force and acting rudely.

The 1988 incident, he said, "shaped me to be the Ron Davis who is in front of you today."

Davis said he gained an appreciation of the credibility of the police disciplinary system, seeing how it could change behaviors and make him a better man and police leader.

Earlier, Davis told The Seattle Times the incident happened when he was involved in a foot chase of a drug suspect along with several other officers.

He said he shoved the person to the ground in a way that witnesses thought was unnecessary. When a witness came up and questioned the action, Davis said he told the person to "Shut the [expletive] up."

Davis said the incident shows that officers can learn from mistakes and still go on to have distinguished careers.

Seattle Times staff reporter Jim Brunner contributed to this story.

Steve Miletich: 206-464-3302 or smiletich@seattletimes.com