Former Seattle Police Department Chief Adrian Diaz came out as gay after being accused of sexually harassing four female colleagues.
The unexpected announcement by the former police officer of 30 years, who is also married with children, comes amid accusations against him of alleged “predatory behavior” towards female officers.
His former co-workers Kame Spencer, Jean Gulpan, Valerie Carson and Lauren Truscott have filed a $5 million civil lawsuit accusing him of “grooming” them.
One of the officers said he tried to approach her while she was undressing between shifts, while another said he made her feel uncomfortable with constant comments about her appearance and clothes.
In his first public comments since the allegations came to light, Díaz denied them and said he has privately struggled with his identity for a long time.
Former Seattle Police Department Chief Adrian Diaz came out as gay after being accused of sexually harassing four female colleagues.
“It’s a story that has been wrestled with, for the last four years, that I am a gay Latino man,” Díaz said in an emotional interview with The Jason Rantz Show on KTTH.
‘You know, it doesn’t bother me. What worries me the most is my children because they are going to have to deal with a lot of the struggles that I may not have to deal with.”
“I know that I have always been true to myself and have always treated people well and with respect,” he added of the accusations.
‘I have never done that. Those challenges to your character are really difficult.’
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell demoted Diaz from his position in late May amid the allegations, replacing him with Sue Rahr as interim police chief.
Harrell described the move as a “mutual decision” and said Diaz would be working on “special projects” instead.
He added that Díaz informed him of his sexual orientation several months ago.
Diaz’s former co-workers, Kame Spencer, Jean Gulpan, Valerie Carson and Lauren Truscott, have filed a $5 million civil lawsuit accusing him of “grooming” them. (Pictured: Lauren Truscott)
Diaz’s former co-workers, Kame Spencer, Jean Gulpan, Valerie Carson and Lauren Truscott, have filed a $5 million civil lawsuit accusing him of “grooming” them. (In the photo: Jean Gulpan)
In his first public comments since the allegations came to light, Diaz denied the claims and said he has privately struggled with his identity for a long time.
“Former Chief Diaz informed Mayor Harrell and his administration staff several months ago of his sexual orientation,” the mayor’s office said. KOMO News in a sentence.
‘Mayor Harrell supports you now, as he did then, for sharing this about himself and being an authentic leader.
“How former Chief Diaz’s sexual orientation will be addressed during the litigation process will be left to the courts, and we will not comment on pending litigation.”
Diaz told Rantz that he realized he was gay in 2020 and has struggled to come to terms with it ever since.
He said he came out to his family, prompting a series of “difficult conversations” with his wife and children.
‘I haven’t been able to just leave. And that has been a struggle,” Díaz said.
Diaz’s former co-workers, Kame Spencer, Jean Gulpan, Valerie Carson and Lauren Truscott, have filed a $5 million civil lawsuit accusing him of “grooming” them. (Pictured: Kame Spencer)
Diaz’s former co-workers, Kame Spencer, Jean Gulpan, Valerie Carson and Lauren Truscott, have filed a $5 million civil lawsuit accusing him of “grooming” them. (Pictured: Valerie Carson)
The former top cop added that the allegations pushed him to go public with his sexuality, along with the fact that he wants to be himself in the future.
He revealed to Rantz that he is now serving in a role within the Austin Police Department.
“I want to make sure people understand who I am,” he said. ‘I want to live my truth. I don’t want to be hidden behind any curtains or anything like that.
‘I want another chance to serve a city. And you know, it’s not easy when you have false accusations against you.
“I don’t want to have any secrets if I decide to go to another city.”
Diaz joined the Seattle Police Department in 1997 and rose to the rank of interim chief in September 2020, before assuming the permanent position in January 2023.
