Seattle councilmember seeks more coordination with mayor on police chief search

The useful part

In the latest escalation between Kettle and Wilson, with the Public Safety Chairman objecting to the way Wilson is characterizing the search for a new Seattle police chief. Wilson said in a press release Wednesday that the next chief of police will lead development of SPD's goals that align with the mayor's public safety vision. However, the new chief would need the city council's approval to be appointed, a point Kettle made clear in his own press release on Thursday.

How it works

• "The next chief of police, in order to get confirmation, will also need to align with the council's public safety goals as outlined in its Strategic Framework Plan for a Safer Seattle," he said.
• Kettle said in his press release that the city council is a co-equal branch of government that Wilson must work with.
• Kettle has become a strong critic of Wilson on the city council, going so far as to say last week that the mayor lacks a public safety plan, and has also criticized her efforts at fighting crime.
• Kettle also mentioned in the press release one of the key issues that has fueled contention between him and Wils...