Seattle Mayor Removes Police Chief Amid Controversy
Seattle’s Mayor, Katie Wilson, reportedly relieved Police Chief Shon Barnes of his duties on Wednesday evening. This decision came after rising criticism about Barnes’s frequent absences from the city and the slow response of the police department to public inquiries regarding recent mass shootings and clashes with the press.
During a meeting with Mayor Wilson, Barnes was asked to resign following a moment of silence for the victims of a shooting at the Bite of Seattle event. Sources close to the situation indicated that he was informed of his potential dismissal.
The exact nature of Barnes’s departure remains unclear; it’s not known if he resigned willingly or was outright fired. Reportedly, he canceled various interviews that were supposed to take place early Wednesday and soon began alerting others about his termination.
The Mayor’s office and the police department have yet to officially confirm the change in leadership or announce a successor.
Criticism Over Absences
Chief Barnes faced significant backlash from the media over his regular weekend absences, attributed to his roots in Chicago where his family still resides. In a moment of tension earlier this week, he had a heated exchange with a reporter regarding his commitment to Seattle.
This confrontation was particularly pointed given his absence during a shooting that occurred outside the Seattle Center Armory, where seven individuals were injured, three fatally. Many in the community expressed frustration over the delayed response for information following the incident.
At the time of the shooting, Barnes was in Dallas attending a law enforcement conference, which sparked further outrage as Deputy Chief Tyrone Davis had to lead the initial briefings on the event. During a press conference, Barnes made an attempt to justify his absence by saying he couldn’t predict such acts of violence.
A Turning Point for Leadership
As controversy swirled around his leadership, Barnes was scheduled for interviews to address questions about his travel and local residency. However, those interviews were suddenly canceled, leading to the release of parts of his schedule instead. He did attend a wake later that evening before meeting with Wilson.
This decision to remove Barnes marks a notable shift in Wilson’s approach. Initially, she had expressed her desire to collaborate with him and reinforced a focus on professionalism, accountability, and community engagement within the department.
Shon Barnes was appointed just a year ago after a national search for a police leader from the Midwest. Before Seattle, he held similar positions in law enforcement in Madison, Wisconsin, and several cities in North Carolina.
His departure raises questions about the leadership direction of the police department, especially as investigators continue to deal with the aftermath of the recent shooting. A teenager has been arrested in connection with the incident, but the police are still actively searching for additional evidence and suspects.
