The city of Seattle is settling a lawsuit brought by a high-ranking police official who alleged that she experienced discrimination at the department under then-Chief Adrian Diaz’s leadership.

Deanna Nollette, a decorated, nearly 30-year veteran of the department, filed a lawsuit last year alleging wage, job and gender discrimination. Nollette was assistant chief from 2018 to 2023. When Diaz became the chief in 2022, he began a nationwide command staff search and required most other assistant chiefs to reapply. Nollette was removed from her position and assigned to the rank and pay of captain. She alleged the chief then retaliated further when she complained of discrimination by assigning her to be night duty captain.

Nollette’s suit is one of many that came out of Diaz’s turbulent time

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