Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole to step down

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole, who has helped guide the department’s changes under a consent decree with the U.S. Justice Department, is stepping down at the end of the year.

New Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan made the announcement in a news release Monday. Durkan said Deputy Chief Carmen Best will serve as interim chief beginning Jan. 1.

Former Mayor Ed Murray hired O’Toole, a former Boston police commissioner, in 2014. She was the first woman to run Seattle’s department.

Durkan scheduled an 11 a.m. news conference to further discuss the announcement.