SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: Lieutenant Jessica Taylor, who dedicated 23 years to the Seattle Police Department, bid her farewell with an unapologetic letter addressed to the police chief.
In a scathing 15-page note, Taylor held Chief Adrian Diaz accountable for a litany of failings, accusing the department of becoming a circus with "boisterous clowns running amok."
Her candid critique extended to the Seattle City Council, which she labeled "absurd." She also called the mayor "spineless," and blasted the prosecutor's office for being overly lenient.
In the searing missive, Taylor highlighted the department's toxic environment, describing her time there as "soul-draining." She didn't hold back on the city's law enforcement, asserting that their failure was clear and that they had let down the public.
Who is Lieutenant Jessica Taylor?
Lieutenant Taylor devoted 23 years to the Seattle Police Department. The Seattle cop started the scathing letter with: "This will be a brutally long letter, but after 23+ years, I have a few things to say."
While she acknowledged the city's increasing lawlessness, calling it "a playground for anarchists and criminals," Taylor pointed out the leadership's apparent unconcern for the devastating consequences.
According to her, Seattle had become the "laughingstock of the whole world," with citizens living in fear.
Taylor's letter was a call for an investigation into Chief Diaz's leadership, whom she characterized as power-hungry and manipulative.
Her parting words were bold and unwavering, expressing her commitment to standing up for what's right, even if it meant standing alone.
Addressing Diaz, she said, "You willingly became a puppet, a spineless 'yes man,' perfectly willing to throw the entire department under the bus to achieve your coveted spot as chief, complete with a fancy corner office."
'You've failed them. You've failed us!'
"Your approach reeks of a desperate hunger for control rather than genuine understanding and respect for the autonomy of our officers. Your controlling, bullying, and gaslighting tendencies have wreaked havoc on this department, driving away talented and dedicated officers," the letter stated.
It continued in a similar vein, raging against Diaz. "You are a vindictive, power-hungry individual, and I wouldn't trust you as far as I could throw you. You offered me an opportunity for an honest exit interview, and here it is. I will always stand up for what's right and what I believe in … even if I am standing alone," wrote Lt Taylor in the missive.
She claimed, "People are getting hurt and killed in this city, left and right. I bet most of the citizens of Seattle would love to be able to walk outside at night or mosey into downtown Seattle and not be afraid. But they can't, and that's your fault. You've failed them. You've failed us."
Calling for an investigation, Taylor said, "I hope, with every fiber of my being, that an outside agency investigates you thoroughly. Your character is truly questionable at best, and the citizens of this once-great city deserve to know the truth—all of it."
The former lieutenant added, "I wanted to go out with the truth. 'The officers on the street are the backbone of this department. And they’ll do everything that they can and fight tooth and nail to make sure that the public is taken care of," reported KTTH.
The Seattle Police Department's spokesperson responded, "While we don’t address personnel issues, the Seattle Police Department is working alongside our city partners to restore the department to over 1400 officers."
The spokesperson also said, "We want our officers to feel valued and respected for their hard work every single day. We are committed to highlighting that work on a routine basis."
