Carmen Best is a U.S. Army veteran and served with the Seattle Police Department for 28 years, rising through the ranks to become the first African-American police chief in Seattle. Prior to her current post, Best served at nearly every level of the Department, rising through the ranks of police officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, commander, and deputy chief.
As Deputy Chief, Best oversaw the Patrol Operations, Investigations, and Special Operations Bureaus, as well as the Community Outreach section. Best has completed the Senior Management Institute for Police, the FBI National Academy, and the Criminal Justice Executive Leadership Academy. In 2015, she received the "Newsmaker of the Year" award from the Seattle Black Press. In 2016, Best completed the Major Cities Chiefs Association Police Executive Leadership Institute.
Additionally, Best is the author of a new book titled Black in Blue: Lessons on Leadership, Breaking Barriers and Racial Reconciliation.
Chief Best joins the CopDoc on April 4th, 2022.