Former Seattle police chief breaks silence on ouster
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Former chief speaks. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images
Former Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes says he still doesn't know why he was pushed out.
The latest: In his first interview since leaving the department, Barnes defended his roughly 18-month tenure to KIRO's Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin and challenged the perception that he spent too much time away from Seattle.
State of play: Barnes was criticized for spending time outside the state, but he said in the interview that he lived in Pioneer Square while his family remained in Chicago, an arrangement he said was agreed upon before he took the job.
- His wife is a cancer researcher, his son is finishing high school, and his daughter underwent major surgery during his tenure.
- He said he didn't believe his wife should have to abandon her career because he took a job here: "My commitment to Seattle never changed, but my commitment to my family can never change."
Barnes said in the interview, released Monday, that he traveled to Chicago four times this year and rejected suggestions that he wasn't sufficiently present in Seattle.
The other side: Mayor Katie Wilson hasn't publicly given a specific reason for asking Barnes to resign, citing multiple factors. But in describing what she wants in his replacement, she said the next chief should be "consistently present in Seattle" and keep travel to "an appropriate minimum."
- Records obtained by PubliCola showed Barnes was, or planned to be, out of the office nearly 40% of the time through early August, including for professional travel and trips to Chicago.
What he's saying: Barnes said he felt he hadn't been given enough time to prove himself, noting that he served less than 18 months and spent only about seven months working under Wilson after being hired by former Mayor Bruce Harrell.
Between the lines: Asked what advice he'd give Seattle's next chief, Barnes said to listen to the community and officers — and to "develop a better relationship with the mayor."
- "The job isn't politics, but it is politicky," he said.