The current deputy chief of Seattle police, John Diaz, will step up as interim police chiefin Kerlikowske's absence if (let's face it, when) Kerlikowske's appointment as Obama's Drug Czar is confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday. Diaz isn't terribly popular or supported by the rest of the department, so we're thinking all the noise about applying for the permanent position is probably not going to come to fruition. To hear him say it, he's not supported because he's been involved in so many disciplinary decisions over his 29-year career with the SPD. Being the boss means making unpopular decisions sometimes, but maybe there's more to the story (please, local gossip gods, let there be more). more ›