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Interim Chief Best added to finalists for permanent job

SEATTLE — Interim police Chief Carmen Best is back in the running to lead the department.

Mayor Jenny Durkan announced the move on Saturday, after one of the three finalists for the job, former Pittsburg police Chief Cameron McLay withdrew his candidacy.

When Best was at first not chosen to be among the three finalists for the permanent job there was widespread outrage.

“It's a flawed system and we'll continue to talk about the flawed system and we're glad that Mothers for Police Accountability ... we're glad to see Chief Best is now one of the finalists,” said Rev. Harriett Walden

Best now joins Austin Assistant police Chief Ely Reyes and Minneapolis Inspector Eddie Frizell.

A former Pittsburg police chief, McLay has withdrawn his candidacy for the job and Mayor Jenny Durkan says she is talking with him about a role assisting Seattle with police reform.

Asked if that would create a question about who’s in charge if Best were appointed police chief, Walden responded.

“We'll it'd look like the white guy would be in charge, that's what it would look like to me,” Walden said.

Asked a similar question Durkan responded, “Number one, there is only one chief of police regardless of who the new chief is, there will only be one chief of police.”

Carmen Best started as a patrol officer in Seattle and has a lot of respect from the rank and file.

“Having someone who can come in and hit the ground running, who knows the community, knows the rank and file, knows the lay of the land that's just vitally important,” said Sgt. Rich O’Neill, vice president of the Seattle Police Guild.

Durkan was asked about the Seattle Times report that Best is the likely choice.

“No. There's an old saying in Washington, D.C. that those who know aren't talking and those who are talking don't know.”

Durkan says she’ll interview all three candidates this week. She didn’t set a deadline for a decision, but said it will come soon.