(The Center Square) – Embattled Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes resigned Thursday afternoon, according to a statement released by Mayor Katie Wilson.
The resignation comes days after Barnes was out of town during a mass shooting and got into the face of a journalist who questioned him about being absent.
“Today, Mayor Katie B. Wilson accepted a letter of resignation from Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes. Chief Barnes was appointed by Mayor Bruce Harrell in late 2024 and has made substantial contributions to public safety in Seattle,” Wilson’s statement said.
Some city council members questioned Wilson’s leadership in the handling of the shooting and the controversy over Barnes.
“It has been an honor to serve the Seattle Police Department and this city,” said Chief Barnes, according to the release. “The men and women of this department show up every single day with professionalism and dedication, and what they did in the aftermath of the Bite of Seattle tragedy reflects the very best of who they are. I am proud of them and I have deep faith in the future of this department and in the vision for community-based policing that is taking root here.”
“Seattle is committed to building a department that is truly connected to the communities it serves, and I believe in where that work is headed. I hope this transition gives the city and this department the opportunity to return full focus to what matters most, addressing youth gun violence and preventing more tragedies. That work is too important, and Seattle deserves nothing less,” Barnes’ statement concluded, according to the release.
“Chief Barnes has served this department and this city with dedication, and I am grateful for his service,” Wilson said in the release.
“The courage and professionalism that the officers of the Seattle Police Department showed deserves to be honored. I share Chief Barnes’ hope that we can return our focus to addressing youth gun violence and ensuring that every family can feel safe in their neighborhood and across the city.”
The mayor is appointing Deputy Chief Andre Sayles as Interim Chief of the Seattle Police Department, according to the release.
“Deputy Chief Sayles brings more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, including serving as Chief of Police in Beloit, Wisconsin,” the release states.
“The mayor believes he is the right Interim leader for SPD in this moment and to ensure continuity while we conduct a thorough search for a permanent chief.”
“My vision for public safety in this city is grounded in transparency, trust, and genuine collaboration with the community,” Wilson said in the release.
“Keeping people safe requires trust, and trust requires that this department shows up in neighborhoods every day, builds relationships with residents, community organizations, and small businesses, and is accountable to the people it serves.”
Downtown Seattle Association CEO Jon Scholes released a separate statement after Barnes’ resignation.
“Seattle had been on a positive course on public safety with police hiring trending up and crime trending down, particularly in the downtown core. It’s imperative the next chief of police is able to maintain progress that’s been made and instill confidence in our community,” he said.
The mayor will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Friday at City Hall to introduce Sayles and provide information on the process for a permanent chief, the mayor’s release said.
Wilson released an Instagram video Thursday night further detailing her administration’s response to Sunday’s shooting, which she said showed “real gaps”
“I also know there are real questions about how the city communicated with the public,” Wilson said, referencing the delay in releasing information.
She said information about an outstanding suspect and other details could and should have went out faster using multiple methods, including social media and the city’s emergency alert system.
Wilson said she would work with the police department to correct the issues going forward.
The mayor did not explain why she had asked for Barnes’ resignation, or why he decided to eventually resign after initially rejecting to do so.