SEATTLE \u2014 Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes has resigned, and Mayor Katie Wilson has appointed Deputy Chief Andre Sayles to serve as interim chief, the mayor\u2019s office announced Thursday afternoon. <\/p>\n
In a press release issued just after 3:30 p.m., Wilson said she accepted Barnes\u2019 letter of resignation.<\/p>\n
PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Councilmembers say Mayor Katie Wilson asked SPD Chief Shon Barnes to resign<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt has been an honor to serve the Seattle Police Department and this city,\u201d Barnes said in the release. \u201cThe men and women of this department show up every single day with professionalism and dedication, and what they did in the aftermath of the Bite of Seattle tragedy reflects the very best of who they are. I am proud of them, and I have deep faith in the future of this department and in the vision for community-based policing that is taking root here. Seattle is committed to building a department that is truly connected to the communities it serves, and I believe in where that work is headed. I hope this transition gives the city and this department the opportunity to return full focus to what matters most, addressing youth gun violence and preventing more tragedies. That work is too important, and Seattle deserves nothing less.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cChief Barnes has served this department and this city with dedication, and I am grateful for his service,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cThe courage and professionalism that the officers of the Seattle Police Department showed deserve to be honored. I share Chief Barnes\u2019 hope that we can return our focus to addressing youth gun violence and ensuring that every family can feel safe in their neighborhood and across the city.\u201d<\/p>\n Mayor Katie Wilson’s office then released a video statement on social media Thursday afternoon explaining the “gaps” that have been uncovered in the city and police department’s communication strategies following the mass shooting at Bite of Seattle on Sunday, July 26.<\/p>\n Wilson explained there had been a series of miscommunications between the SPD and her office that resulted in multiple delays in timely information, including a much-condemned late news conference and failing to use the Seattle Alert system <\/p>\n The mayor went on to talk about accepting the resignation of Barnes and thanked him for his service.<\/p>\n Shortly after the mayor’s announcement was released, Barnes’ statement was issued via HKM Employment Attorneys LLP:<\/p>\n “Yesterday, Seattle Police Chief Dr. Shon Barnes met with Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson who requested his resignation. That meeting began a series of private conversations with the mayor\u2019s office that ultimately culminated in Chief Barnes\u2019 decision to offer his voluntary resignation. He believes this is the best path forward for the city, which is still reeling from the shock and pain caused by the tragic events at the Seattle Center.”<\/p>\n “Although Dr. Barnes was surprised by the mayor\u2019s request, he wanted to emphasize his dedication and appreciation to the city, including to the community leaders and the Seattle City Council who have offered their support: ‘The city\u2019s focus should rightfully be on the investigation of the tragic events at the Seattle Center, justice for the victims, and healing the city from a senseless act of gun violence. I want to emphasize that it has been one of the greatest honors to lead the Seattle Police Department and to serve the citizens of the City of Seattle. Thank you to the officers and professional staff of the Seattle Police Department for your tireless work to protect and serve the city we all care about, especially under challenging circumstances. I cannot thank you enough.'” <\/p>\n Council President Joy Hollingsworth (District 3), Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6), Councilmember Debora Juarez (District 5), and Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7, Public Safety Chair) released a joint statement following Wilson’s announcement:<\/p>\n \u201cOur city faces profound public safety challenges, from youth gun violence destroying lives to drug markets and human trafficking plaguing our neighborhoods. After the Seattle Center shooting, our focus should be on the lives lost and how we can address gun violence in our city. Tackling these crises and creating a safer Seattle requires strong, stable leadership.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen communities are grieving, major decisions should be made with great deliberation; making a significant leadership change in this moment puts our city in a precarious situation. Having cycled through four police chiefs in just two and a half years, our priority must be stability, not further disruption. The people of Seattle deserve reliable leadership, especially as we close out a busy summer of public events.<\/p>\n “Right now, our focus should be on keeping residents and visitors safe, providing stability and clear leadership, reducing gun violence in Southeast Seattle and ensuring public safety agencies are coordinated and delivering timely alerts and public information.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe stand with community members who came forward today to express their support for Chief Barnes and the work he has been doing. We are disappointed to see his departure and thank him for his service.\u201d<\/p>\n In a series of Thursday interviews with KOMO News prior to the official announcement, several Seattle City Councilmembers provided some insider details.<\/p>\n Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth alleged that Barnes was asked to resign and initially declined.<\/p>\n Councilmember Rob Saka said Wilson told him there would be a “transition” in the Chief’s office.<\/p>\n “It’s not a decision I would have made, especially amid a tragedy,” Saka said, referencing the mass shooting at Seattle Center on Sunday. “We’re still in the middle of a crisis.”<\/p>\n A group led by Black community leaders rallied earlier the same morning in opposition to Wilson’s reported decision.<\/p>\n The coalition of organizations, advocates, and clergy members gathered at Seattle City Hall at 8:30 a.m. to demonstrate.<\/p>\n The rally for Barnes comes after just over a year on the job and recent scrutiny over his conduct and his ties to the city after a mass shooting at the “Bite of Seattle” on Sunday.<\/p>\n The Seattle Police Officers Guild criticized Wilson’s administration following the announcement of Police Chief Shon Barnes’ resignation, arguing that the city should focus on public safety rather than political turmoil.<\/p>\n “Seattle doesn’t need another week of political drama. It needs leadership,” SPOG President Kent Loux said in a statement Thursday.<\/p>\n Loux said the union has repeatedly called for proactive public safety measures following Sunday’s mass shooting at the Bite of Seattle, but contended the mayor’s administration has instead created “confusion, mixed messages, and chaos surrounding Chief Barnes.”<\/p>\n “Seattle deserves a mayor focused on preventing the next tragedy \u2014 not managing the next political crisis,” Loux said. “Unfortunately, Mayor Katie has made it clear that public safety is not her administration’s priority.”<\/p>\n