(The Center Square) – Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson says she expects to have a new police chief on board by the beginning of 2027 and named a search committee Tuesday to help find the next candidate.
Wilson received wide criticism from city council members and business and community leaders after she demanded the resignation of former Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes following a shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival on July 26.
The shooting, believed to have stemmed from gunfire between rival gangs, left three dead and several injured.
“I am looking for a leader who understands that public safety starts with public trust, ” Wilson said in a statement. “It is a trust that is earned every single day. Seattle’s next Chief of Police must be visible, accountable, and present in our neighborhoods.”
Wilson said her Chief of Police Search Advisory Committee will be composed of law enforcement executives and community leaders with direct experience in public safety and policing matters.
The advisory committee will be co-chaired by Justice Mary Yu, who recently retired from the Washington Supreme Court, and Ian Warner, the Public Policy Director at Vulcan Real Estate, who previously served as Senior Public Policy Director at Zillow.
After Barnes resigned at Wilson’s request, City Council Public Safety Committee Chairman Bob Kettle questioned whether the city could even find a suitable outside candidate given Seattle’s reputation as a revolving door for police chiefs.
Over the past decade, Seattle has had six police chiefs. The longest term lasted roughly four years, with three chiefs serving just over one year.
Barnes, who was chosen by Wilson’s predecessor, Bruce Harrell, had served only 18 months. Wilson initially decided to keep Barnes in office after her election as mayor last November.
Barnes made $373,000 a year, one of the highest salaries among police chiefs in the U.S., making the job financially lucrative despite the uncertainty.
Wilson never exactly specified why she asked Barnes to leave, but she did mention at the press conference announcing Barnes had agreed to resign that she wanted someone who was constantly in the city.
Barnes’ family continued to live in Chicago, and police records show that he was frequently out of town visiting his family and/or attending conferences.
Barnes was not at the initial press conference following the Bite of Seattle shooting because he was attending a police conference in Dallas.
It’s unclear if Barnes had a role in the five-hour delay it took the police to hold a press conference on the shooting. That delay has also subjected Wilson to criticism for not pressing to hold the press conference sooner.
Most City Council members, as well as city and community leaders, have criticized Wilson for firing Barnes, stating that his leadership had helped bring Seattle’s crime rate down.
The mayor is also facing a recall effort against her, with the petitioners citing the Wilson’s handling of public safety and Barnes’ dismissal as reasons for seeking her ouster from office.
Additionally, several recent polls have shown Wilson’s approval rating dropping significantly, with public safety issues cited as a major concern among respondents.
As the search for a new chief begins, the advisory committee will evaluate candidates based on executive qualifications, experience and public feedback. The committee will ultimately recommend up to five candidates to advance to a competitive examination.
Community engagement begins with an online public survey, open through Sept. 15, allowing Seattle residents to share their priorities and desired qualifications for the next police chief.
Following the survey, the Mayor’s Office and the Seattle Neighborhood Group will host a series of public forums across the city. The first forum is scheduled for Sept. 26 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Van Asselt Community Center in South Seattle, with details on future sessions to be announced in the coming weeks.