Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz has initiated legal action against the city, asserting unlawful termination, defamation, and other grievances. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday.

diaz’s complaint encompasses claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, defamation, and retaliation. It further asserts that Diaz maintained a clean disciplinary record throughout his 27-year career in law enforcement.

the complaint states that in 2024, Diaz declined to adhere to “unlawful directives” from Mayor Bruce Harrell to terminate and discipline SPD officers without affording them due process rights.

diaz’s attorney released a statement from Diaz concerning the newly announced lawsuit:

“A year ago,Mayor Bruce Harrell relieved me of my duties as Seattle’s Chief of Police. The City of Seattle holds a special place in my heart, and I have always believed in its potential and its people. Over the course of 28 years, I proudly maintained an impeccable record as a Seattle Police Officer and dedicated myself to serving the Seattle community with integrity.”

Diaz’s statement continued, “While City leaders unfairly accused me of dishonesty and unprofessional conduct, ther is critical evidence disproving those allegations that the City intentionally overlooked, minimized, and ignored. Additionally, I voluntarily took a polygraph test that confirmed the truthfulness of my statements during the inquiry, and a handwriting expert has discredited the so-called key evidence the City purportedly relied upon in terminating my employment.”

“The Mayor and City leaders have unfortunately left me with no other choice than to seek justice through legal action,” Diaz stated.

Jamie Housen, a spokesperson from Mayor Bruce Harrell’s office, issued the following statement regarding the lawsuit:

“We don’t typically comment on active litigation; however, in this case, we will say: When all we had was rumor and innuendo regarding Adrian Diaz, we took him at his word. After we received the facts from an independent investigation, he was terminated for dishonesty. We are confident that the fact-finding allowed by the litigation process will demonstrate the truth.”

Records indicate that Diaz filed a notice of claim on October 11, 2024, seeking $10 million in damages from the city. This claim was submitted two weeks before Diaz was placed on paid administrative leave.

The claim stated, “The city wrongfully discharged and discriminated, harassed, and retaliated against former Chief Diaz when he expressed his sexual orientation to (Seattle) Mayor Harrell and Deputy Mayor Burgess.”

The claim also mentions Diaz’s refusal “to commit an illegal act.” Jacob Downs, Diaz’s attorney, stated that the mayor’s office demanded Diaz take unlawful disciplinary action against an officer.

“The City’s conduct is transparently retaliatory and has destroyed chief Diaz’s nearly 30-year career in law enforcement,” Downs saeid in October 2024.

Mayor Harrell removed Diaz from his position as chief earlier in 2024, citing an “abundance of lawsuits” accusing Diaz of harassment and discrimination. Harrell appointed former King County Sheriff Sue Rahr as interim chief of SPD while the city initiated a nationwide search for a new chief.

Following his removal as chief, Diaz disclosed that he is gay in an interview. Diaz’s claim against the city alleges discrimination after expressing his sexual orientation to Harrell and Burgess.

In June 2024, Harrell stated that Diaz had disclosed his sexual orientation to him in March. “It was just a personal discussion between he and I,and ultimately,his communication to the world rests with the chief,” Harrell said. “I applaud him for believing when he disclosed this to the world that it was the right time.”

At the time of his removal, Diaz was facing allegations from multiple female officers regarding a culture of “misogyny, sexism, discrimination, and harassment within the department.”

State law mandates a sixty-day waiting period between submitting a notice of claim and filing a lawsuit.

In response to a request for comment on Diaz’s 2024 claim, a spokesperson for harrell stated, “Adrian Diaz has not been discharged and remains an employee of the City. The City denies the allegations in the claim for damages. Beyond this,we are unable to comment on the pending claim or any related investigations.”