Following is a message that Interim Chief Carmen Best shared with employees earlier this morning.
Hello everyone, and Happy New Year.
I have had the pleasure of working with you for the past 26 years. There is no greater honor than to serve as your Chief.
I want to thank Chief Kathleen O’Toole for her leadership and selfless commitment to our department and our community. Under her leadership, we have met all of the assessments conducted by the Monitoring Team, and are at the leading edge of reform.
Thanks to your incredibly hard work, we have accomplished many major milestones. I am proud of what we have achieved, and our steadfast commitment to reform and our community.
This is a critical time for us. As we move ahead, we will focus on five priorities:
- Reducing Crime and Disorder
- Excellence in Service
- Honor and Professionalism
- Business Efficiency
- Data Driven Policies and Practices
The men and women of the Seattle Police Department and our community have always been at the heart of my desire to serve. I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure we are meeting our community’s expectations, while also leading the way in 21st century policing. I am confident that, together, we can take the Seattle Police Department to the next level.
I am humbled and honored to serve with you. Thank you for all you do, today and every day, to keep our city safe.