Absence of Carmen Best on Seattle police chief list raises questions from community

SEATTLE -- Three finalists are in the running to lead the Seattle Police Department.

A selection committee chose Eddie Frizell, inspector for the Minneapolis Police Department, former Pittsburgh police chief Cameron McLay and Ely Eyes, assistant chief in Austin, Texas.

Noticeably absent from the list is Interim Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best.

That decision was a surprise to some and on Saturday, it's raising a lot of questions, concerns and comments from the community.

Reverend Hariett Walden can't believe the announcement made Friday that the three finalists didn't include Best, a 26-year veteran of the department.

"I'm disappointed because the process cheated Carmen Best. She has been engaged in the community. She's worked well at every sector," Walden said.

Walden is a vocal advocate for Better Police - Community Relations and director of Mothers for Police Accountability. She says Best was the most qualified candidate.

"None of the candidates have ever been involved in a consent decree. Here she is, involved in a consent decree. Already involved in a consent decree. All this time. And for the sustainment part, they want to bring in somebody else," Walden said.

KOMO News also heard from Pat Murakami, the president of South Seattle Crime Prevention Council.

"I was very surprised and I think it's very disrespectful to Chief Best and the contribution she's made to the Seattle Police Department," Murakami said during a phone interview. "I believe there are quite a few rank and file officers behind her and would like to see her be chief."

Mayor Jenny Durkan will interview the three men and name the next chief by the end of June or early July.

When asked at a news conference on Friday about the finalists, former city councilmember Tim Burgess tried to shed some light on why Best did not make the final cut. He says an outsider is necessary for the department.

"It was less a decision about Carmen Best and more a decision about what the organization, the institution of the police department, needs today and going forward," Burgess said.

In a statement, Best said she will stay on as interim chief until a new chief is confirmed. She wished the candidates the best.