Currently the Madison, Wisconsin Chief of Police, Barnes brings to Seattle a record of accomplishment, including implementing solutions that have driven a 67% decrease in homicides, a 40% decrease in auto thefts, and a 19% decrease in reports of shots fired so far in 2024, as well as advancing strategies to build an inclusive police service where 28% of officers are women.
Seattle – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the appointment of Shon Barnes as the next Chief of the Seattle Police Department (SPD), following a national search. Barnes has served as the Chief of Police for Madison, Wisconsin since 2021, and is a nationally recognized leader in reducing crime, improving community-police relations, and driving culture change. Mayor Harrell will welcome Chief Barnes to Seattle with a public event in January, and Chief Barnes will begin a series of meetings with community members in city neighborhoods.
“Earlier this week, under tragic circumstances, the nation received its introduction to Chief Shon Barnes. We all saw firsthand what our team has known since we began this recruitment process – that Chief Barnes possesses the impressive leadership capabilities, compassionate approach, and dedication to effective police work needed to continue moving our Police Department forward,” said Mayor Harrell. “I’ve spoken with Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway to express my condolences and support as they process this week’s tragedy and to share my continued commitment to fighting for solutions to the gun violence epidemic that impacts every corner of our country through our shared work with the U.S. Conference of Mayors.”
Mayor Harrell continued, “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. 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.”
In Madison, Chief Barnes implemented evidence-based approaches to partner with the community, achieved significant decreases in crime, and led strategic initiatives to improve the effectiveness and diversity of the department. He has over 12 years of police command-level experience, including patrol, training, and recruitment, and served as a civilian police accountability executive in Chicago, where he helped meet the training plan requirements of a federal consent decree.
“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 incoming Chief Shon 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.”
Under Chief Barnes, 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.
Barnes participated with the officer safety and wellness committee that was part of President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. He has served as a subject matter expert for the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and been recognized for his accomplishments and scholarship by the National Institute of Justice and Radford University’s Center for Police Practice, Policy and Research. Earlier this year, he was inducted into the Policing Hall of Fame at George Mason University’s Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy. “Chief Shon Barnes is a nationally recognized leader and innovator, but I mostly admire his authenticity and values. He is highly principled, fair, and sincere. He has consistently demonstrated great care for his personnel and the communities they serve,” said former SPD Chief Kathleen O’Toole. “I have no doubt that he will receive a warm welcome in Seattle and provide the stable, effective leadership that SPD deserves.”
The search for Seattle’s next chief began in mid-2024, led by current Interim Chief Sue Rahr and former Chief Kathleen O’Toole, two widely respected law enforcement leaders who recruited candidates from around the country to ensure Seattle received the highest quality applicants.
There were 57 total applications received from across the United States which were reviewed and narrowed to a list of 44 qualified candidates. The top four candidates were invited to take a competitive exam in November, as required by the City Charter. Three candidates – Chief Barnes; Nicholas Augustine, Assistant Chief of the Montgomery County, Maryland, Department of Police; and Emada Tingirides, Deputy Chief, Los Angeles Police Department – passed the exam and were forwarded to Mayor Harrell for his consideration and final selection.
The search process was designed to recruit qualified individuals and encourage talented law enforcement leaders to apply. During the search process, and as part of the Charter-required competitive exam, the mayor sought insight and feedback from a diverse collection of community members. Earlier this year, the mayor’s office hosted six “Safer Seattle” community forums focused on public safety. These meetings were held downtown and in the Bitter Lake, South Park, Rainer Beach, Central District, and Queen Anne neighborhoods. Public comment at these meetings and responses to an online survey helped shape the job description for the Chief of Police position.
“I am very excited to see Chief Shon Barnes join the Seattle Police Department! He has achieved a national reputation for his focus on research and innovation while remaining centered on the core values of community policing. His skills and knowledge are just what SPD needs to take it to the next level,” said Interim Chief Sue Rahr. “I look forward to collaborating with him over the next several weeks to ensure a smooth transition in late January. The people of Seattle and the men and women of SPD are very lucky to gain such a knowledgeable and talented new leader!”
Sue Rahr was appointed interim chief of the Seattle Police Department in May 2024 and was not a candidate for the permanent position. Under Rahr’s leadership, SPD has made significant progress in recruiting more officers, deploying crime prevention technology, supporting the expansion of diversified response options, and launching place-based crime reduction strategies.
Rahr will continue to advise and support the department during the transition to Chief Barnes.
About Chief Barnes
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 has served as Madison, Wisconsin’s Chief of Police since 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 is married to Dr. Stephanie Dance-Barnes, a leader in higher education and expert in cancer biology, and together, they have three children.