Seattle police watchdog head resigns in 'mutual' agreement with Mayor Harrell, city says

Gino Betts, director of Seattle’s Office of Police Accountability, is resigning next month, according to the mayor’s office. Betts’ resignation comes following scrutiny over his handling of high-profile complaints against former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz and his treatment of colleagues.

Mayor Bruce Harrell’s spokesperson Callie Craighead said Betts’ resignation was a “mutual decision” reached between Harrell and Betts about “the path forward.”

Betts notified the mayor Friday morning that he plans to resign on Dec. 13, according to a press release. Deputy Director Bonnie Glenn, who has 25 years of legal and judicial experience, will oversee the accountability office on an interim basis thereafter.

“I am exceedingly proud of our contribution toward improving the Seattle Police Department and appreciative of the overwhelming support we received from community members and law enforcement throughout my tenure,” Betts said in a press release. “I sincerely wish Interim Director Glenn great success leading this essential office.”

Betts did not respond to KUOW’s requests for comment by publication time.

Harrell appointed Betts in July 2022. Betts previously worked in Cook County, Illinois as an assistant state’s attorney.

In July, whistleblowers sent an unsigned letter to the Seattle City Council accusing Betts of intentionally neglecting complaints of harassment and workplace discrimination against Diaz. The letter said that 10 potentially credible complaints against Diaz – including allegations that he’d hired a romantic partner to be his chief of staff – were delayed, some by up to 16 months.

Diaz, through his attorney, has denied the accusations.

KUOW confirmed the letter was written by a whistleblower within the Office of Police Accountability at the time it was sent in July. Records obtained by KUOW also showed that several employees within the accountability office approached human resources in April and said Betts bullied employees.