When Jim Pugel was promoted from assistant chief to interim police chief earlier this year, he did so by leap-frogging over a higher-ranked officer. That was Deputy Chief Nick Metz. And it's increasingly clear why. After a federal court settlement mandated that the department reform problems with excessive use of force and racially biased policing, it seems Metz was still part of the problem.

The Seattle Times has done some excellent reporting on this recently: A report last month from the court-appointed police monitor found some officers—even officers on the senior command staff—were dragging their feet on reforms. “If the current senior command staff remains in place and their attitudes toward the Settlement Agreement do not change, the SPD is unlikely to be able to achieve full and effective compliance,” said the monitor's report. Then last week, Pugel stunned the department by telling Metz to take a step down or quit. Pugel gave a similar ultimatum to an assistant chief.

As Steve Miletich at the Seattle Times reported, Metz ultimately agreed to the demotion. But some cops got their holsters in a twist.

Pugel responded to that controversy today. He posted a statement on the police blotter that seems directed at grumbling cops more than the general public:

As the Chief of the Seattle Police Department it is my responsibility to make tough decisions to help guide this department toward progress and constitutional policing.

I understand that the personnel decisions that I made last week regarding two assistant chiefs have not come without controversy.

In the past, some leaders in this department have faced criticism for failing to make difficult decisions. I do not wish for this department to be viewed as one afraid of change and progress, and I believe that the decisions announced last week were necessary and correct.

It is my job to ensure that this department has the leadership it needs and deserves and our department has the right leaders in the right places working toward reform and improvement.

I am dedicated to preventing bias within our department and have made sure that SPD is supportive and fully participates in the city wide Race and Social Justice Initiative.

Pugel seems dead right for two reasons: He's essentially saying that any officer who fucks up the police reform plan—no matter how entrenched or senior—will be demoted or canned. And second, as Pugel makes clear in his closing sentence, a cop can being weeded out for showing bias or resisting the city's race and social justice agenda.

Some cops are gonna throw a conniption fit. And that will be helpful, too. Pugel will know who to target next.