Shon Barnes
Shon F. Barnes | |
|---|---|
| Chief of the Seattle Police Department | |
| In office January 31, 2025 – July 30, 2026 | |
| Mayor | Bruce Harrell Katie Wilson |
| Preceded by | Sue Rahr |
| Succeeded by | Andre Sayles |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Elizabeth City State University (BA) University of Cincinnati (MS) North Carolina A&T State University (PhD) |
Shon Fitzgerald Barnes is an American law enforcement officer who served as the chief of the Seattle Police Department from 2025 to 2026.[1] He was the chief of police of Madison, Wisconsin, from 2021 to 2025, and the deputy chief of police of Salisbury, North Carolina, from 2017 to 2020.[2] Prior to his career in law enforcement, Barnes was a history teacher.[3]
Early life and education
[edit]Born in Murfreesboro, North Carolina. Barnes earned a bachelor of arts degree in history and pre-law from Elizabeth City State University, and a master of science in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati. He also holds a Ph.D. in leadership studies from North Carolina A&T State University.[4] His doctoral research was focused on police-community relations, specifically examining racial disparity and the effects of hot spots policing.[5]
Career
[edit]Barnes serves as an executive board member of the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers, an advisory board member of the University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies Center for Public Safety and Justice, and a member of the National Policing Institute's Council on Policing Reforms and Race.[4][6]
Following public and political scrutiny over emergency communication delays after a July 26, 2026, shooting at the Bite of Seattle festival, Mayor Katie Wilson requested Barnes's resignation. Barnes stepped down as chief of police on July 30, 2026. Deputy Chief Andre Sayles was subsequently appointed to serve as interim chief of police while the city initiated a search for a permanent replacement.[7][8]
Marriage and family
[edit]Barnes is married to Dr. Stephanie Dance-Barnes, a cancer biologist and the Dean of the College of Science and Health at DePaul University.[5][9] They have three children, Ashlee, Aeiden, and Addison.[5]
References
[edit]- ↑ Helsel, Phil (July 30, 2026). "Seattle police chief resigns days after food festival shooting". NBC. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ Hiruko, Ashley (December 20, 2024). "Seattle's next police chief: Mayor appoints Shon Barnes of Madison, Wisconsin to lead". www.kuow.org. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ↑ "Mayor officially nominates Seattle's next top cop". The Seattle Times. December 20, 2024. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- 1 2 "Shon F. Barnes". University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies Center for Public Safety and Justice. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Barnes, Shon Fitzgerald (2018). "Police-Community Relations: A Study of Racial Disparity and the Effects of Hot Spots Policing Leadership Strategies". North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
- ↑ "Meet the Executive Board of NOBLE". NOBLE. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
- ↑ "Mayor Wilson announces resignation of Chief Barnes and appointment of André Sayles as interim Chief". Office of the Mayor, City of Seattle. July 30, 2026. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
- ↑ Deshais, Nicholas; Carter, Mike (July 30, 2026). "Seattle police chief resigns days after shooting". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Stephanie Dance-Barnes". DePaul University. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
External links
[edit]- https://www.seattle.gov/police/about-us/about-the-department/command-staff
- https://www.pcoa.gov.jm/dr-shon-barnes/
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