What Mayor Wilson wants in a new Seattle police chief
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Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson listens to an attendee after Monday's vigil for the Bite of Seattle shooting victims. Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said Friday that the city's next police chief should be someone who is "consistently present in Seattle" and and "who can navigate the inevitable criticism" that comes with the job.
The big picture: Former Seattle chief Shon Barnes, who resigned this week at Wilson's request, frequently traveled to visit his family in Chicago and was out of town at a conference when Sunday's fatal Bite of Seattle shooting occurred.
- Earlier this week, Barnes had a tense confrontation with a reporter who asked about his travel schedule.
Barnes was appointed by Wilson's predecessor, Bruce Harrell, in December 2024.
What they're saying: Wilson said Friday that "multiple factors" played into her decision to ask Barnes to resign this week. "The events of Sunday certainly played into it," she told reporters.
- She criticized the lack of information coming from the police department in the hours after Sunday's shooting, including about whether suspects remained at large and "the status of the Seattle Center campus."
- "That information should have been shared earlier," she said.
- Wilson said she and Barnes ultimately reached a "mutual agreement" that he resign.
Going forward, the mayor said, "I will be looking for someone who is consistently present in Seattle, keeping travel to an appropriate minimum, and who also ensures that when they are away, there is sufficient SPD leadership in town to guide our city through any emergency."
- "I will be looking for someone who can navigate the inevitable criticism that comes with this job, and who can course correct with grace when needed," she added.
The other side: Three Seattle City Council members released a statement this week criticizing Wilson's decision to part ways with Barnes, particularly when "communities are grieving" after Sunday's shooting.
- Making "a significant leadership change in this moment puts our city in a precarious situation," Councilmembers Joy Hollingsworth, Bob Kettle and Debora Juarez said in their joint statement Thursday.
- The city's "priority must be stability, not further disruption," the statement added.
What's next: Interim Police Chief Andre Sayles is leading the department for now.
- Wilson said she will soon begin the process of searching for a permanent replacement.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with three council members' statement on Barnes' resignation.