Good evening from the KUOW Newsroom. This is Seattle Now. I'm Paige Browning. Here are today's top stories. It's Wednesday, May 1st. Starting with police under scrutiny, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is hiring an outside investigator to look into the police

department. It comes after four women filed a $5 million tort claim against the Seattle Police

Department last week, alleging sexual discrimination and harassment. The claim named Chief

Adrian Diaz, the head of the police department's communications office, and a human resources manager.

Harrell says he's taking the claim seriously.

These allegations against both the chief and other members of command staff will investigate and get to the bottom of it and we'll have recommendations,

but we'll also respect the due process

that occurs in a situation like this, a legal process, and so we're not going to get in front of that.

The mayor told KOWW there's no specific timeline for the completion of the investigation,

but that it could take months.

KUOW's investigations have also revealed retaliation against female officers for reporting

discrimination within the department. SPD leaders are pushing back on the allegations and call them

hearsay. Today is Mayday. Labor groups held rallies today across the Seattle area to mark the day. Trade

unions and advocates for migrant

workers gathered at Westlake Park in downtown Seattle this morning. Organizers also marked the

10th anniversary of Seattle's Fight for 15 movement, which inspired a higher minimum wage in the city

and kicked off a national effort. Rallies for hotel workers were this afternoon at the

West in Seattle and the Double Tree Hilton in CETAC. Employees at both hotels are calling for higher

wages.

Some local police chiefs say serious juvenile crime has reached a crisis point.

And they're questioning whether ankle monitors are enough to keep young people accountable.

Anne Dornfeld has this report today.

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