Former Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske is now President Barack Obama's drug czar. The 36-year law enforcement veteran ran the Seattle Police Department for eight years. His nomination to become the head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy was approved today by the U.S. Senate.

Kerlikowske's last day in charge of the S.P.D. was last Friday. Seattle Deputy Police Chief John Diaz is the city's interim chief, and according to a report in The Seattle Times, Diaz will seek to fill Kerlikowske's shoes permanently.