Seattle – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced that he has selected Shon Barnes to serve as the next Chief of the Seattle Police Department (SPD). Read more about Mayor Harrell’s decision to appoint Shon Barnes here.
Here’s what people are saying about Chief Barnes:
“Chief Shon Barnes brings to Seattle a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to community outreach, the safety of the public, innovative leadership, and transparency. He will spend time in the community learning about the wants and needs of the residents.
Following the tragic shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Chief Barnes demonstrated professionalism, empathy, and a deep understanding of the concerns of both the community and his officers. As an effective communicator, he is known for his ability to connect with and respect people from all walks of life.
Nationally recognized for his contributions to evidence-based policing, Chief Barnes has earned public trust by promoting accountability among officers and agencies while promoting transparency. His forward-thinking vision for modern policing focuses on addressing public safety challenges through collaboration, proactive community engagement, and data-driven strategies.
Most importantly, Shon is a person of exceptional character, guided by strong principles and values.”
Geoffrey P. Alpert, Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice University of South Carolina
“I have no doubt Chief Barnes will be a collaborative, thoughtful leader for the Seattle Police Department. I have been impressed by his commitment to evidence-based policing practices and the fair and just application of these principles to the communities he has served. He is an innovator and a creative partner, which is why the University of Chicago Crime Lab asked him to be a founding member of our Policing Leadership Academy Advisory Committee. We are excited to support Chief Barnes in his new endeavor in Seattle.”
Roseanna Ander, Founding Director, University of Chicago Crime Lab
“I extend a warm welcome to Chief Barnes to Seattle and congratulate him on the opportunity to lead one of the finest police departments in the country and build on the work that makes it so. We will work to ensure our new chief can hit the ground running as we all work, as One Seattle, to create the safe base that our City needs to be so that families, communities, and businesses can thrive.
I thank the Mayor and his team for the work they have done to bring Chief Barnes onboard and for their collaboration. It will continue to take an all-hands-on-deck effort to address the serious public safety challenges that we have before us. I also want to take a moment to thank the men and women of SPD, their families, and loved ones, for the service they provide to our City, especially as we move through the holidays. Thank you for having the watch.”
Councilmember Bob Kettle, Public Safety Committee Chair
“On behalf of the Seattle CARE department, I extend a warm welcome and my full support to Chief Barnes. He has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to community and intellectual integrity throughout his career, and I look forward to partnering to ensure our public safety interventions are rehabilitative, restorative, and effective.”
Chief Amy Barden, Seattle CARE Department
“I am excited to have Chief Shon Barnes join Seattle as the new police chief. I had the pleasure of meeting him and his approach in leading with humanity and experience in community policing will be valuable in building trust with the communities we serve.”
Jenifer Chao, Director, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
“It is an honor to have been part of the interview panel for selecting our new Chief of Police. The process has reaffirmed the importance of finding a leader who embodies integrity, expertise, and a deep dedication to serving our community. I am confident that Chief Barnes possesses the essential qualities to make the department successful and keep the community safe. Collaboration with the people of Seattle and the private sector will be critical to Chief Barnes’ success.”
Zabrina Jenkins, Community Member
“Chief Shon Barnes is nationally known for his efforts to build trust with communities of color, his research collaborations to evaluate diversion programs and body-worn cameras, and his work to improve data collections and analysis practices in policing. Chief Barnes is a leader among leaders in policing and is one of a select group of law enforcement professionals inducted into the Evidence-Based Policing Hall of Fame. The Hall recognizes his outstanding efforts in advancing and applying science and research in policing to improve community trust and public safety.”
Cynthia Lum, Ph.D., Distinguished University Professor of Criminology, Law and Science; Director, Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy, George Mason University
“Chief Barnes is a generational leader, and his impacts on policing and public safety go far beyond the communities and departments he serves. Chief Barnes has been pushing law enforcement beyond the status quo for years. From holding agencies to account for improving community relationships, to intentionally improving agency culture to ensure under-represented groups are meaningfully included and supported, to advancing evidence-based practice to ensure police leaders are doing what matters and works to improve public safety. Chief Barnes is a true believer in the transformative potential of policing to be a catalyst for positive change and is doing more than his part to realize that potential. Seattle is lucky to have him, as is the profession.”
Maureen McGough, Co-Founder, The 30×30 Initiative to Advance Women in Policing; Senior Advisor, The Policing Project, NYU Law
“The Court and Federal Monitor support finding a permanent full-time chief of Seattle the Police Department. Shon Barnes is a well-qualified national leader in advancing constitutional, lawful, and community-driven policing. Barnes is well-suited for building on the solid progress of the federal Consent Decree by stabilizing the management of public safety, ensuring high standards of training and wellness for officers, and fostering a culture of learning and policy innovation. We hope for a quick confirmation process.”
Antonio Oftelie, Federal Monitor, United States vs. City of Seattle
“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. I have no doubt that he will receive a warm welcome in Seattle and provide the stable, effective leadership that SPD deserves.”
Kathy O’Toole, Former Chief, Seattle Police Department
“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. 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, Interim Chief of Police, Seattle Police Department
“I look forward to welcoming and working with Chief Barnes as he transitions in as our new chief. His incredible education, experience, and knowledge will be an asset to the Seattle community and region.”
Chief Harold Scoggins, Seattle Fire Department
“I have had the opportunity to observe Chief Barnes in a number of professional settings, including Chief of the City of Madison. He is a consummate police leader who believes in constitutional policing and cares deeply for the people and citizens he serves.”
Noble L. Wray, Chief of Police, Madison (Retired)
“I first met Shon Barnes when we were hired to do the search for a police chief in Madison, Wisconsin. Madison wanted a collaborative, thoughtful, inspiring chief to lead a department with a national reputation for community-oriented/problem-solving policing. Shon was all of that and more. Shon Barnes, a former teacher and expert on accountability, was a rising star. When I see how he has stepped up to the challenge of dealing with a horrific tragedy in Madison, I am more confident than ever that Shon exemplifies the courage and passion to be exactly what Seattle needs.”
Chuck Wexler
Executive Director, Police Executive Research Forum
“Simon Sinek said, “Leadership is not about being in charge, but about taking care of those in your charge.” This is what Seattle is getting in Chief Shon Barnes. With Barnes in charge, I am encouraged!”
Bishop Reggie Witherspoon
Mount Calvary Christian Center
“Chief Barnes takes an informed, intentional, and empathetic approach to leading teams and making tough decisions. Throughout his career, he’s consistently grounded decision-making in operational expertise and by directly engaging—and being informed by—the communities he serves. He’s built a fully staffed police force of both officers and professional staff that has been recognized nationwide for its inclusivity and diversity. I applaud Mayor Harrell for this successful recruitment and look forward to what Chief Barnes’ leadership will unlock for Seattle.”
Grace Yoo. Assistant Director, Washington State Department of Commerce; Former Executive Director, Washington State Women’s Commission