Seattle Tacoma, WA, July 31, 2026 —

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has publicly expressed reservations regarding the qualifications of former Police Chief Shon Barnes. The mayor shared her criticisms during a recent news conference, where she also detailed her administration’s priorities for selecting the next leader of the Seattle Police Department.

Mayor Wilson’s comments focused on what she perceives as shortcomings in Barnes’s professional background, though specific details of these qualifications were not provided in the summary. The mayor emphasized that the selection process for the new police chief will be rigorous, with a strong focus on ensuring the candidate possesses the necessary experience and leadership skills to address the city’s public safety challenges.

During the news conference, Mayor Wilson outlined several key areas she expects the future police chief to prioritize. These include enhancing community trust, implementing effective crime reduction strategies, and fostering a collaborative relationship between the police department and the communities it serves. The mayor stressed the importance of a candidate who understands Seattle’s unique needs and can navigate the complexities of modern policing.

The search for a new police chief comes at a critical time for Seattle, as the city continues to grapple with issues related to public safety and police reform. Mayor Wilson’s administration is committed to finding a candidate who can provide stable and effective leadership for the department.

The specific timeline for the selection process and further details regarding the criteria for the next police chief were not immediately available. The mayor indicated that more information would be forthcoming as the process unfolds.



Story summarized from the original created by Kristina.Moy@fox.com (Kristina Moy) on www.fox13seattle.com, see more information here.

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