Former Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best is reportedly a finalist to lead the New York Police Department.
Citing multiple unnamed sources, the New York Post reported Wednesday that Best is among three candidates considered “front-runners” on New York Mayor-Elect Eric Adams’ short list for police chief consisting of six to eight women.
Best, during an interview with The Seattle Times on Wednesday about her new book, “Black in Blue: Lessons on Leadership, Breaking Barriers, and Racial Reconciliation,” brought up the Post report from the start of the discussion, saying she didn’t want to comment or talk about it.
During her short tenure in the summer of 2020, the department surrendered the East Precinct to anti-cop protesters, who created the lawless Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ).
Best, though, has said the retreat was not her decision and wanted to retake the abandoned precinct but the city “relented to severe public pressure.” She resigned after the city council voted to reduce the police force headcount.
Sources told the New York Post Best caught the incoming administration’s attention with her refusal to give into overreach from the city council and her track record of standing up for the rank-and-file, including sacrificing her six-figure salary by stepping down.
Others cited in the Post’s report as potential candidates to lead the nation’s largest police department include Philadelphia police Chief Danielle Outlaw and former Newark, New Jersey, Police Chief Ivonne Roman. The Times report referenced NYPD’s current patrol chief, Juanita Holmes, as another potential candidate.
