Seattle Mayor Relieves Police Chief Shon Barnes of Duties
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes has been relieved of his duties by Mayor Katie Wilson in Seattle.
Seattle Tacoma, WA, July 29, 2026 —
Seattle, WA – Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson announced today that Police Chief Shon Barnes has been relieved of his duties. The specific reasons for the decision were not immediately disclosed.
Chief Barnes, who has led the Seattle Police Department, was informed of the mayor’s decision earlier today. The transition in leadership for the city’s law enforcement agency is effective immediately.
Mayor Wilson’s office has not released further details regarding the circumstances or the timeline leading to this change in command. Further information is expected to be provided in the coming days.
The Seattle Police Department is a key component of the city’s public safety infrastructure, and leadership changes at this level often have significant implications for departmental operations and community relations. The mayor’s office has stated that its priority remains ensuring the safety and well-being of Seattle residents.
Information regarding an interim appointment or the process for selecting a new Police Chief was not available at the time of this report. The department continues its day-to-day operations under existing command structures pending further announcements.
Story summarized from the original created by Kristina.Moy@fox.com (Kristina Moy) on www.fox13seattle.com, see more information here.
