SEATTLE — Seattle Police Chief John Diaz retired Monday as his department faces a court order involving use of force by officers.
The announcement came after difficult negotiations led the Police Department to enter a court agreement with the federal Justice Department last summer to address concerns that officers were too quick to use force.
Diaz has been criticized for his leadership style.
City Councilman Tim Burgess, who is running for mayor, said Diaz was too slow to adopt new strategies for preventing crime and to embrace the changes sought by the federal agency.
Burgess had said he would fire Diaz if elected.
Diaz is a 33-year veteran and the department’s first minority chief.
Mayor Mike McGinn said Assistant Chief Jim Pugel will be named interim chief.
The Justice Department launched its civil rights investigation after the fatal shooting of a homeless, Native-American woodcarver and other incidents involving force used against minority suspects.