(The Center Square) – Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is appointing Madison, Wis. Police Chief Shon Barnes to be the next Seattle police chief within the same week Barnes is handles a deadly school shooting in Wisconsin.
Barnes has served as the chief of police for Madison since 2021. According to Harrell’s office, Barnes is a nationally recognized leader in reducing crime, improving community-police relations, and driving a culture change within the department.
The announcement comes within the same week of a tragic event in the City of Madison.
Earlier this week a shooting that led to three dead, including the juvenile shooter who was a student, occurred at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis.
“Under tragic circumstances, the nation received its introduction to Chief Shon Barnes,” Harrell said in a statement. “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.”
Despite recent events, Madison has seen improvements in public safety under Barnes. So far in 2024, the city 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.
Seattle has seen a decrease in crime since 2022, when violent crime statistics were at an all-time high. However, rates of violent crime through November 2024 surpassed 2020 levels.
The number of homicides in Seattle this year has also remained consistently high with other post COVID-19 pandemic years.
Barnes also brings proven experience in implementing an inclusive workforce with the Madison Police Department’s initiative that has resulted in 28% of officers being women.
In May, former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz resigned from his position amid lawsuits.
Diaz was fired by Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell on Tuesday following an investigation into Diaz’s actions while head of the department.
Interim Chief Sue Rahr and former Chief Kathleen O’Toole began recruiting candidates to permanently fill the position since mid-2024.
“[Barnes] has achieved a national reputation for his focus on research and innovation while remaining centered on the core values of community policing,” Rahr said. “His skills and knowledge are just what SPD needs to take it to the next level.”
Barnes will be introduced in Seattle sometime in January 2025.
