Former SPD leader Adrian Diaz was fired because of an alleged “intimate” relationship

Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz has been fired from the department, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell’s office confirmed to KIRO Newsradio Tuesday morning.

Harrell told the Seattle City Council that he fired Diaz after seeing the results of an investigation into the former police chief’s conduct.

That investigation alleges that Diaz had “an intimate or romantic relationship” with a former police department employee — one he allegedly hired and supervised for a position he created.

Jamie Tompkins, a former Seattle television anchor, resigned as SPD communications director last month. IIn a statement to “The Jason Rantz Show” on KTTH, she denied that she was in a “romantic or sexual relationship” with Diaz.

“I support Chief Diaz and his family,” Tompkins said. “The city has lost an outstanding public servant and a dedicated public servant. The allegation that Chief Diaz and I had a romantic or sexual relationship is completely false and extremely damaging to both his and my professional reputation.”

Political analyst Matt Markovich appeared on KIRO Newsradio’s “The John Curley Show” Tuesday and explained exactly why Diaz was fired from the SPD.

“He did not acknowledge an obvious conflict of interest. The inspector general just found that out,” Markovich said. “It violated professionalism and, above all, the number one dishonesty in politics.” He was fired for this. Not all that other stuff you heard about all the lawsuits and everything else. He was fired because he was dishonest, (not) professional, avoided disclosing conflicts of interest and had an inappropriate relationship with his supporters.”

Markovich also discussed Diaz’s compensation, noting that he had received his full annual salary as SPD chief – nearly $340,000 – until his firing on Tuesday. Now that he has been terminated, he will no longer receive a dollar from the department.

Go here or tap the player below to listen to Markovich’s discussion of Diaz’s firing, including his personal connection to the events that unfolded in that case, on “The John Curley Show.”

Markovich previously noted how new such an investigation is for the city on KIRO Newsradio’s “The Gee and Ursula Show.”

“It’s the first time – under a new law passed two years ago – that the inspector general’s office has investigated a police chief and made allegations against that chief, whether civil or criminal,” Markovich said.

“Now the inspector general’s office has already released this report and found that the chief lied,” he added. “This has never happened before in the city… There has never been an investigation like this against the police chief, and now that this is complete, the other investigations led by the mayor will also be carried out.”

Go here or tap the player below to listen to Markovich’s previous discussion about firing Diaz on “The Gee and Ursula Show.”

Adrian Diaz was removed as SPD leader in May

Harrell announced May 29 that Diaz was being removed as department head amid complaints of discrimination and harassment. At that point, Rahr, the former King County sheriff, would come out of retirement and become interim chief for the foreseeable future.

Diaz was then assigned to work on so-called “special orders.”

At this time, Harrell said Rahr has no plans to become permanent chief and will assist Harrell and former Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole in a nationwide search for Diaz’s replacement.

Exclusively at Rantz: Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz reveals he is gay

An allegation of dishonesty with investigators and a possible violation of department policy led Rahr to place Diaz on leave in October from his position performing “special duties.”

This information came in a letter that Seattle Inspector General Lisa Judge sent to Harrell, City Council President Sara Nelson, City Attorney Ann Davison and the chair of the Public Safety Committee.

Contributors: Matt Markovich and Sam Campbell, KIRO Newsradio; Steve Coogan, MyNorthwest