Shon Barnes, the incoming Seattle Police Chief, was officially sworn in yesterday, marking a new era for a department that has struggled with federal oversight and misconduct allegations. As reported by KING 5, Chief Barnes expressed, "Crime prevention, community engagement, employee safety and wellness, recruitment and retention, and most importantly continuous improvement. Those are the priorities that will move the Seattle Police Department forward."
Having served as the interim chief since January, Barnes transitioned into the full-time role after the unanimous July confirmation from the Seattle City Council. The former chief, Adrian Diaz, was terminated over an investigation that, according to KIRO 7, found he had "an intimate or romantic relationship" with an employee he had hired and was supervising.
Barnes emphasized the importance of accountability and resources for his force."It starts with listening to our officers, supervisors, and understanding the data, and making sure people are held accountable. As chief, it is my job to make sure everyone has the tools, training, and technology they need to do their work," Barnes said, as stated by KOMO News. Highlighting the goal to hire 200 officers by year's end, Barnes is looking for budget savings to ensure competitive pay for his officers.
The Seattle Police Department, suffering a significant loss of officers post-2020 and over a decade of federal oversight due to excessive force issues, is facing a rebuilding phase under Barnes. Promising to look elsewhere in the budget for officer pay savings, Barnes said he plans to hire by the end of 2025, which was noted by officers who deserve competitive pay, as per KOMO News.
