Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes Resigns Following Mayor’s Request
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes has resigned after Mayor Katie Wilson asked him to step down. This follows reports that Barnes has spent a significant amount of time outside of Seattle this year, including during a recent shooting at the…
Seattle Tacoma, WA, July 30, 2026 —
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes has resigned from his position after Mayor Katie Wilson requested that he step down. The announcement follows recent reports detailing Chief Barnes’s extensive time spent outside of Seattle during the current year.
Among the periods of absence noted were times when Chief Barnes was reportedly out of the city during significant events, including a recent shooting that occurred at the Bite of Seattle festival. The circumstances surrounding these absences and the subsequent request for resignation have created a noticeable rift between the Mayor’s office and the City Council.
Several members of the City Council have publicly expressed their surprise and disappointment regarding the perceived lack of communication from the Mayor’s office concerning the decision to ask for Chief Barnes’s resignation. The details regarding the timeline of the request and the Chief’s decision to resign were not immediately available.
The resignation of a police chief is a significant development for city leadership and public safety administration. Further details regarding the transition in leadership and any interim appointments are expected to be released by the Mayor’s office.
Story summarized from the original created by Nathalie Graham on www.thestranger.com, see more information here.
