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Carmen Best Promoted to Deputy Chief and Other SPD Command Changes

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Carmen Best to Deputy Chief of the Seattle Police Department. Since I was appointed, Carmen has shown me she cares deeply for this department and the community. She is a respected leader within the organization and has demonstrated, as the current Assistant Chief of Criminal Investigations, that she has the energy, integrity, work ethic, commitment, and skills to move the Seattle Police Department forward.

Carmen has worked for the Seattle Police Department since 1992. Her assignments have included Uniformed Patrol, School Safety, Department Spokesperson, Patrol Supervisor, Media Relations Supervisor, Watch Commander, Operations Lieutenant, Narcotics Proactive Commander, Robbery/Gangs/Fugitive Commander, Community Outreach Commander, and South Precinct Commander.

Carmen has a B.A. from Western Illinois University and has a certificate in Police Management from the University of Washington and certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia. She completed the Senior Management Institute for Police in 2006, the FBI National Academy in 2010 and the Criminal Justice Executive Leadership Academy in 2013. She is a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Latino Police Officers Association, and Tabor 100. She is an avid supporter of the A+ program for youth and she is on the Executive Board of Lakeside School.  She is married and has two daughters in college.

In addition, I am making the following changes:

·         Assistant Chief Paul McDonagh is moving to the Special Operations Bureau which is now combined with the Homeland Security Bureau.

·         Assistant Chief Robin Clark is moving to the Criminal Investigations Bureau.

·         Captain Mike Nolan is moving to Traffic.

·         Captain Joe Kessler will be working on special projects for the Chief Operating Officer.

All of the functions of the Field Support Bureau remain under Chief Operating Officer except for Criminal Intelligence which will be moved to the Office of the Chief, and CBRNE which will move to Special Operations Bureau.  Also the Compliance and Professional Standards Bureau will report to the Chief Operating Officer.

All of these changes are effective immediately.

Kathleen O’Toole

Chief of Police