The Seattle Times' three-part SPD chiefstravaganza concludes with a profile of John Diaz:

"I'm not the fire-and-brimstone leader. That's not me. As a leader, I believe you need to surround yourself with really smart people, define clear expectations and set a course."

Diaz, 52, named interim chief just over a year ago when former Chief Gil Kerlikowske left to become President Obama's drug czar, is one of three finalists for the permanent job as Seattle's top cop.

In his 30 years with the department, Diaz has been tasked with some of the department's toughest assignments — and he's made plenty of unpopular decisions.