FILE - This photo shows SPD Chief Adrian Diaz holding a press conference regarding a string of home invasion robberies that occurred over the summer of 2023. comes as the department faces lawsuits from multiple officers who claim they've faced discrimination, retaliation, and a hostile work environment within the department.
Diaz’s exit as chief comes at a time of uncertainty for the department as the SPD is still facing mounting legal challenges. “Numerous allegations made against the department, all of which we take very seriously, numerous allegations, both in terms of harassment, discrimination, hostile work environment issues,” Mayor Bruce Harrell said in a press conference Wednesday. “Every time there’s an incident, we have to put our arms around each other and talk to the executive team about what’s going on over there.