Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes: ‘Every officer, every employee, is a community policing officer’

Shon Barnes, the newly appointed Seattle Police Chief, says the department is headed in the right direction. but wants to improve recruitment and community engagement.

On “The Gee & Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio, Barnes acknowledged the significant staffing shortages at SPD, with the department down several hundred officers. However, he expressed optimism about the future, noting that the Seattle Police Department (SPD) hired one more officer than it lost last year.

“We have a lot of applicants in the pipeline,” Barnes said. “I’ve sworn in about eight people already in just two weeks. My job is to support the men and women of the Seattle Police Department and ensure they have what they need to succeed.”

Barnes outlined his immediate priorities for his first 100 days, including evaluating top-ranked officers, setting command staff, and establishing department priorities such as crime prevention, community engagement, and officer wellness. He stressed the importance of breaking down silos and improving processes within the department.

Key focus for Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes is community engagement

A key focus for Barnes is community engagement, which he equates with community policing. He says he hopes to create partnerships where the community sees the police as allies, setting neighborhood-level priorities in cooperation with city officials.

“Every officer, every employee, is a community policing officer,” he said.

Barnes, who brings experience from his previous role as Chief of Police in Madison, Wisconsin, addressed concerns about his background, including rumors about failing a polygraph test during the city’s screening process.

“I did not fail the polygraph,” Barnes clarified. “I’ve been a police officer for 26 years, have a security clearance with the FBI, and have lived a life I’m proud of.”

Barnes began his career as a history teacher and coach. He recounted losing a student to gun violence, which led him to a conversation with a school resource officer who suggested he become a police officer. This pivotal moment inspired Barnes to pursue a career in policing.

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Gun violence remains a top issue

Gun violence remains a pressing issue in Seattle, and Barnes shared his thoughts on addressing the problem, emphasizing the importance of embracing young people and providing them with opportunities to succeed.

“It takes a village to raise a child, but the child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth,” Barnes said, quoting a proverb.

He said he advocates for a holistic approach involving parents, churches, and civic groups to prevent gun violence and provide mentorship and apprenticeships for young people. Barnes also said he is a proponent of responsible gun ownership as a way to reduce crime and suicide rates.

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