(The Center Square) – Shon Barnes was announced on Dec. 20 as the next chief of the Seattle Police Department, but he won’t assume his new job right away. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell’s office told The Center Square that Barnes is expected to start sometime in late January to early February.
The delay is due in part to the recent mass shooting in Madison, Wis, where Barnes was the city’s police chief.
On Dec. 16, a shooting that led to three deaths – including the juvenile shooter, who was a student – occurred at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis.
Barnes was announced as the next Seattle police chief later that week.
Seattle has lacked a permanent police chief since May, when former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz resigned from his position amid lawsuits.
Diaz was then fired by Harrell last month following an investigation into Diaz’s actions while head of the department.
Interim Chief Sue Rahr has served in the role since Diaz’s departure. She will continue to advise and support the department during the transition to Barnes becoming chief.
Barnes has served as the chief of police for Madison since 2021. Harrell’s office previously described Barnes as a nationally recognized leader in reducing crime, improving community-police relations, and driving a culture change within the department.
Despite the tragedy last month, Madison has seen improvements in public safety under Barnes. In 2024, the city saw 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.
The Seattle City Council will need to make a confirmation vote of Barnes before he can be officially sworn in as the new Seattle police chief.
