What’s next for East Precinct Captain Paul McDonagh, pictured? Seattle Police Department honchos are about to go through a shuffling following the news that Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske will be the country’s next ‘drug czar’ overseeing the nation’s drug-control policy. He’s commanded the precinct since the summer of ’07 and his boss, assistant chief Nick Metz, is one possible replacement for Chief K. McDonagh has guided the East Precinct through relatively quiet times including the murder of Shannon Harps and the street celebrations following the 2008 presidential election. Wouldn’t be a bad time for him to step up a level.
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Nick Metz and John Diaz have both been Commanders of the East Precinct during the Deano’s era, and seemed entirely fine. Both have risen through the ranks and would make fine Police Chiefs IMHO.
The previous East Precinct Commander (Landy Black) left to become Police Chief in Davis, California. My spy tells me that he’s doing fine there (they’re very touchy-feely in Davis).
I would be overjoyed to see another ex-East Precinct Commander (Mike Meehan) as the Seattle Police Chief, but suspect he’ll have to work his way up the ranks a bit first. He’s very smart, thoughtful and good with the public. And he’s very tall!
Given the police brutality and racism that Kerlikowski has authorized and encouraged during his reign here in Seattle, we should be outraged that he’s being promoted to a national level with national enforcement and policy powers.