Seattle police chief appoints chief operating officer for SPD

SEATTLE -- Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O'Toole on Monday announced her first major appointment to her staff since taking office -- former International Association of Chiefs of Police official Mike Wagers as SPD's chief operating officer.

As part of his duties, O'Toole said, Wagers will oversee the Patrol Support Bureau, Administrative Services, Information Technology, Human Resources and Public Affairs.

Wagers most recently worked as the IACP's director of law enforcement operations and support. He previously served as the executive director of the Police Institute at Rutgers University and was an assistant professor at The  Citadel. He also worked for BAE Systems in the information solutions sector.

In addition, O'Toole announced that Mike Fields, the city's labor negotiator who negotiated all SPD collective bargaining agreements, will be the SPD's interim Human Resources director.