Clark Kimerer
  • Dominic Holden
  • Clark Kimerer
Another round of changes is coming to the top brass at the Seattle Police Department. As has been rumored since new chief Harry Bailey arrived, Assistant Chief Clark Kimerer, a longtime member of the senior command staff, announced his retirement last night. And word is that former interim chief Jim Pugel may be following him out the door, having been offered a similar option of demotion or retirement.

From KIRO 7:

Jim Pugel, the former Interim Seattle Police Chief, is expected to retire as early as this week and Assistant Chief Clark Kimerer announced his retirement Tuesday.

Sources tell KIRO 7 the longtime department veterans were given the option of being demoted to captain or retiring—even though Pugel had been praised by the Department of Justice monitor. The city cannot fire them without cause.

This is the latest shake-up in the Seattle Police Department, which saw Pugel forced out to make Assistant Chief Harry Bailey the new interim chief. Bailey, who turns 70 this year, started with the department in 1969 and came out of retirement to take the interim chief job.

Steve Miletich at the Seattle Times points out that Kimerer's exit marks the end of an era in the higher ranks at SPD.

Change is good, sure. But losing Pugel, one of the only higher-ups to be praised by the police monitor, seems like another not-so-great sign.