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Today: Chief Shon Barnes Marks First Day at the Seattle Police Department

Seattle – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell welcomed Chief Shon Barnes on his first day as Chief of Police at the Seattle Police Department (SPD).

“I’m excited to welcome Chief Barnes to the Seattle Police Department, marking the beginning of a new chapter for our police department and our city,” said Mayor Harrell. “Chief Barnes is an experienced and transformational leader whose dedication to building trust, clear vision, and commitment to justice will guide us towards a safer city for all. I also want to express my deepest gratitude to Sue Rahr for stepping up to serve as interim chief for the last 8 months, bringing stability and critical leadership to the department and advancing an institutional culture change. Together, we’ve made tremendous progress on our safety initiatives like the Downtown Activation Team and towards police recruitment goals with a record number of applicants last year, giving Chief Barnes a strong foundation to build on as he enters this new role.”

 “I’m honored to begin serving the people of Seattle as the Chief of Police,” said Chief Barnes. “Mayor Harrell and I share a vision of safe, thriving communities and a police department that committed to inclusivity, innovation, and the highest standard of excellence. I’m looking forward to meeting with community members from different neighborhoods and working with them and the brave men and women at SPD to serve this city.”

Chief Barnes has a 24-year history as a police officer. He began his career with the Greensboro, North Carolina Police Department, where he rose to the rank of Captain. Following that role, he served as Deputy Chief of Police in Salisbury, NC, and then as Director of Training and Professional Development with the Civilian Office of Police Accountability in Chicago, IL. He previously served as Madison, Wisconsin’s Chief of Police beginning in 2021.  

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. He has also participated in ongoing professional education with the Senior Management Institute for Police, Southern Police Institute, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

Chief Barnes has served as a subject matter expert for the U.S. Department of Justice on police leadership, critical incident reviews, use of force practices, constitutional policing standards, and compliance with federal consent decrees. 

He has been recognized as a National Institute of Justice Law Enforcement Advancing Data and Science Scholar and is a member of the National Policing Institute’s Council on Policing Reforms and Race. Barnes was named an HBCU Living Legend in 2023.  He was inducted into the George Mason University’s Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy Hall of Fame in 2024, an honor recognizing his use of data analytics and the evidence of what works best in policing. 

In 2020, Barnes walked the 54-mile route from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama with Chief Tarrick McGuire of the Arlington, Virginia police department and Dr. Obed Magny to commemorate the historic 1965 civil rights march led by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Barnes is co-founder of the 54th Mile Project and has helped develop a national training curriculum on police and race.   

Chief Barnes will begin a community tour to meet neighborhood leaders and residents to build relationships and learn about their unique public safety needs. Chief Barnes’ confirmation as Chief of Police requires City Council confirmation.

Mayor Harrell with Chief Shon Barnes, Chief Amy Barden, Chief Harold  Scoggins, Interim Chief Sue Rahr, Deputy Mayor Tim Burgess, and Chief Public Safety Officer Natalie-Walton Anderson.
Mayor Harrell with Chief Shon Barnes and Chief Harold Scoggins
Chief Barnes speaks to a room of safety leaders.