Andre Sayles Appointed Interim Seattle Police Chief Amidst Leadership Change
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has named Andre Sayles as the interim Chief of the Seattle Police Department following the resignation of Chief Shon Barnes.
Seattle Tacoma, WA, July 30, 2026 —
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson announced Tuesday that Andre Sayles has been appointed as the interim Chief of the Seattle Police Department. This appointment follows the recent resignation of Chief Shon Barnes.
The transition in leadership comes at a critical time for the department. Sayles, who has prior experience within the Seattle Police Department, will assume command of the agency on an interim basis. Further details regarding the timeline for a permanent appointment or the specifics of Chief Barnes’ resignation were not immediately available.
Mayor Wilson’s office stated that the selection of Sayles was made to ensure continuity in departmental operations during the search for a new permanent chief. The mayor’s office is expected to provide more information on the process and the qualifications sought for the permanent position in the coming weeks. The department faces ongoing challenges related to public safety and community relations.
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Story summarized from the original created by Sergeant Patrick Michaud on spdblotter.seattle.gov, see more information here.
