Married Seattle police chief accused of sexually harassing female colleagues comes out as gay

Former Seattle Police Department Chief Adrian Diaz has come out as gay after being accused of sexually harassing four female colleagues. 

The unexpected announcement from the former cop of 30 years, who is also married with children, comes amid swirling claims against him of alleged 'predatory behavior' towards female officers. 

His ex co-workers Kame Spencer, Jean Gulpan, Valerie Carson and Lauren Truscott have launched a $5 million civil lawsuit accusing him of 'grooming' them. 

One of the female officers said he tried to walk in on her getting undressed between shifts, while another said he made her feel uncomfortable with constant comments about her appearance and clothing. 

In his first public comments since the allegations came to light, Diaz denied the claims and said he's privately struggled with his identity for a long time. 

'It's a story that it's struggled with, over the last four years, that I'm a gay Latino man,' Diaz said in an emotional interview with The Jason Rantz Show on KTTH.

'You know, it doesn't bother me. It's more of my concern for my kids because they're going to have to deal with a lot of the struggles that I might not have to deal with.' 

'I know that I've always been true to myself, and always treated people well and respectfully,' he added of the allegations. 

'I've never done that. Those challenges on your character are really hard.'

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell demoted Diaz from his role at the end of May amid the allegations, replacing him with Sue Rahr as Interim Chief of Police. 

Harrell described the move as a 'mutual decision' and said Diaz would be working on 'special projects' instead. 

He added that Diaz informed him about his sexual orientation several months ago. 

'Former Chief Diaz informed Mayor Harrell and staff of his administration several months ago about his sexual orientation,' the mayor's office told KOMO News in a statement. 

'Mayor Harrell supports him now, as he did then, for sharing this about himself and being an authentic leader. 

'How former Chief Diaz's sexual orientation will be treated 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, triggering a series of 'tough conversations' with his wife and children. 

'I have not been able to just come out. And that has been a struggle,' Diaz said. 

The former top cop added that the allegations pushed him to make his sexuality public, along with the fact that he wants to be his authentic self going forward. 

He revealed to Rantz that he's now pursuing 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 curtain or anything like that. 

'I want another opportunity to serve a city. And, you know, it's not easy when you have some false allegations 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 he rose to the rank of interrim chief September 2020, before assuming the permanent position January 2023.