Shon Barnes named as new Seattle police chief

Shon Barnes named new Seattle police chief

On Friday, Mayor Bruce Harrell named Shon Barnes as Seattle's new Chief of Police.

SEATTLE - Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has appointed Shon Barnes as the city's new chief of police.

Harrell announced on Friday morning that Barnes, who has served as the Chief of Police for Madison, Wisconsin since 2021, will start in January with a public welcome event and begin a series of meetings with community members in city neighborhoods.

Barnes is recognized nationally for his expertise in crime reduction and fostering community-police relations. His previous roles include Director of Training and Professional Development at Chicago's Civilian Office of Police Accountability and Deputy Chief of Police in Salisbury, North Carolina. Barnes began his career with the Greensboro Police Department in 2000.

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He was also inducted into the Evidence-based Policing Hall of Fame.

"Chief Barnes will bring proven experience and a forward-looking vision to help us realize our One Seattle commitment to safety for every person in every neighborhood. I would like to thank Chief Sue Rahr for her strong leadership this year, both in the department and throughout this search," said Harrell. "We took a different approach to this search process than those of the past, as we sought to seek out and recruit the best possible chief for SPD’s future. I am confident Chief Barnes is that leader, and that he can further advance positive strides in public safety in Seattle, rooted in innovation, accountability, and community partnership."

Under Barnes' leadership, so far in 2024, Madison has seen a 67% decrease in homicides, a 40% decrease in auto thefts, a 36% decrease in burglaries and a 19% decrease in reports of shots fired. As Seattle seeks to build an inclusive police service for people of all backgrounds, Chief Barnes brings proven experience advancing the Madison Police Department’s inclusive workforce initiative that has resulted in 28% of officers being women.

"I am truly honored to accept this position and thank Mayor Harrell for his trust and confidence. The mayor and I share a vision that crime prevention and community safety is a shared responsibility and that every community member plays a role in keeping Seattle safe,"said Barnes. "My family and I are excited about the opportunity to integrate into Seattle’s vibrant community, known for its diversity, innovation, and resilience. I look forward to working alongside the dedicated men and women of the Seattle Police Department to uphold these core values."

Who is Shon Barnes?

Shon Barnes is the new police chief of Seattle. He has more than 24 years of experience in law enforcement and has served in various leadership roles across multiple cities, including Madison, Wisconsin, where he was chief of police since 2021.

Was Shon Barnes in the news recently?

Shon Barnes was recently in the national spotlight during coverage of the deadly school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin. As acting police chief, Barnes held multiple press conferences to provide the public with as much information about the shooting as possible.

What educational qualifications does Shon Barnes have?

Barnes holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati, and a BA in History/Pre-Law from Elizabeth City State University.

Has Shon Barnes received any professional training or recognition?

Yes, Barnes has participated in ongoing professional education through programs such as the Senior Management Institute for Police, Southern Police Institute and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He has also been recognized for his expertise in policing, including being named an HBCU Living Legend in 2023 and inducted into the George Mason University Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy Hall of Fame in 2024.

What contributions has Shon Barnes made to law enforcement beyond policing?

Barnes has served as a subject matter expert for the U.S. Department of Justice, focusing on police leadership, critical incident reviews, use of force practices, constitutional policing and compliance with federal consent decrees. He is also a co-founder of the 54th Mile Project, which aims to address the relationship between law enforcement and communities of color.

What is the 54th Mile Project?

The 54th Mile Project was co-founded by Barnes to develop a national training curriculum on police and race. In 2020, Barnes walked the 54-mile route from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, with fellow leaders to commemorate the historic 1965 civil rights march led by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

What is Barnes' family background?

Barnes is married to Dr. Stephanie Dance-Barnes, a leader in higher education and an expert in cancer biology. They have three children.

What happened to Seattle's last police chief?

Earlier this week, former Seattle police Chief Adrian Diaz was fired. This followed an independent investigation which found Diaz had an intimate relationship with a former SPD employee whom he hired for his command staff.

In May 2024, Diaz was dismissed from his position as Seattle Police chief, and since then, the department has been led on an interim basis by former King County Sheriff Sue Rahr.

He was ousted from his position after multiple allegations of sexual discrimination and retaliation came out against him.

After being forced to step down, Diaz came out as gay in an interview with radio host Jason Rantz on KTTH 770 AM radio.

Diaz was then placed on leave in October before filing a $10 million tort claim against the city.

He had led the department since September 2020, taking over as interim chief for Carmen Best. Two years later, Harrell named Diaz as chief. Diaz had been with the agency since 1997.