Seattle Police Chief to Step Down

Tenure marked by claims of excessive force, Department of Justice investigation

Seattle Police Chief John Diaz  retired Monday as his department faces a court order involving use of force by officers.

Mayor Mike McGinn said Assistant Chief Jim Pugel will be named interim chief.

Diaz, a 33-year veteran of the department and the department's first minority chief, rose through the ranks from a patrol officer and was named deputy chief in 2000. He became the interim chief on May 7, 2009, after former Chief Gil Kerlikowske was named President Barack Obama's drug czar.