‘It’s not a problem until it’s a problem’: Jake questions if Seattle police chief job is right for Barnes after heated exchange with reporter

Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes got into a heated exchange with a reporter following a news conference Monday regarding the mass shooting at the Seattle Center. The reporter questioned Barnes’ absence during the shooting.

“I don’t have to tell you where I go,” Barnes said, as shown on video posted by KOMO News. “I have a medical procedure that I have to do on Friday.”

The reporter responded, and then Barnes replied, “No, you need to know this. I have been working as hard as I can for this city from the day I got here. Do you got that?”

“There are reports that you are not in town often,” the reporter said.

“Their reports are wrong,” Barnes responded. “Do you understand?”

Barnes was then pulled away to another room.

Spike defends Seattle police chief: ‘He’s doing an incredible job in a very challenging environment’

KIRO host Spike O’Neill defended the chief’s response, saying the event has obviously taken a toll.

“You could hear in the chief’s voice that he took that question very, very personally,” he said on “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio. “Because the questions have been asked today more so than ever. They’ve been asked in the past about the chief. And all due respect, I think he’s a wonderful guy who I think is doing an incredible job in a very challenging and taxing environment. He’s trying to overcome a shortage of manpower. He’s trying to overcome a lack of public trust in his organization from previous failed leadership.”

Spike pointed out the chief’s commitment is being called into question, and that he probably regrets not being available during the shooting.

“He said during the press conference this morning. ‘Look, I wish I had a crystal ball to know when a horrific event would take place, so I wouldn’t be out of town,'” Spike said. “And that’s, of course, what he would say, but he probably feels nothing but regret for not being in town. He wants to be here for the city. He cares about the city and loves the job he’s doing.”

KIRO host Jake Skorheim agreed, saying Barnes is feeling the pressure.

“I don’t think you respond like that unless you’re feeling the pressure,” he said. “And that actually does show somebody who feels a little bit guilty. When somebody over-responds to something, it’s because … ”

“It struck a nerve,” Spike chimed in.

Jake questions if Barnes can do the job long-term with family in Chicago

Jake said he sympathizes with Barnes’ situation but questioned whether the job is sustainable for someone whose family still lives full-time in Chicago, noting that absences weren’t an issue until a mass shooting happened while the chief was out of town.

“If he’s often out of town, is this the best job for him?” he asked. “I completely sympathize with his situation. It’s a great job in Seattle. It’s a step up from his previous job. He gets to be out here. He makes a ton of money. Not that that’s necessarily the only motivator, but he gets to make a good salary. His family gets to finish things up in Chicago. The problem is that it’s not a problem until it’s a problem.”

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3