Sources: Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best to resign

Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best is going to resign, two sources familiar with her decision confirmed to Q13's Brandi Kruse. The decision comes after the Seattle City Council voted to slash the department’s budget.

The council on Monday approved proposals that would reduce the police department by up to 100 officers through layoffs and attrition. Chief Best was vocal in her oppostion to the cuts, which came after councilmembers pledged to redirect money from SPD to community programs amid calls from protesters in the wake of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis.

Budget cuts approved by the council will eliminate nearly $4 million of the department’s $400 million annual budget. While the cuts fall well short of what Black Lives Matter protesters are demanding, councilmembers pledged to cut further in 2021.

A call to Chief Best went unanswered Monday night. Mayor Durkan’s office did not immediately respond to a call seeking comment.

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