Shon Barnes
Shon 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 (interim) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Shon Fitzgerald Barnes |
| Spouse | Stephanie Dance-Barnes |
| 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. 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.
Early life and education
[edit]Born in Murfreesboro, North Carolina.[1] 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.[1] He also holds a Ph.D. in leadership studies from North Carolina A&T State University.[2] His doctoral research was focused on police-community relations, specifically examining racial disparity and the effects of hot spots policing.[3]
Career
[edit]Prior to his career in law enforcement, Barnes was a Marine reservist and a history teacher in North Carolina.[1] After talking to a school resource officer, he decided to become a police officer.[1] In 2000, Barnes became a patrolman in Greensboro, North Carolina, and eventually rose to the rank of Captain.[1] He was assistant chief of the Salisbury, North Carolina Police Department from 2017-2020.[4] Barnes then became the director of training and professional development for Chicago's police oversight group.[5]
In February 2021, Barnes was sworn in as the Chief of the Madison Police Department, after the former chief suddenly resigned 17 months earlier.[5] During his tenure, Barnes advocated the use of body cameras for officers in the department, but many city leaders and community members resisted the expansion.[6] In 2023, Barnes applied to be the Chiacgo Police Chief, but the position was filled by Larry Snelling.[2][7] Before the announcement that he would become the Police Chief of Seattle, Barnes oversaw the investigation of the mass shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School.[8]
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.[9][10]
Personal life
[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.[3][11] They have three children, Ashlee, Aeiden, and Addison.[5]
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.[12][13]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 Carter, Mike (December 20, 2024). "Mayor officially nominates Seattle's next top cop". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- 1 2 Smith, Andrew; Hillery, Jewell (July 13, 2023). "3 finalists for Chicago police superintendent announced". WGN9. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- 1 2 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.
- ↑ Nelson, Jim (July 29, 2026). "Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes resigns, Mayor Katie Wilson confirms". King5. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Becker, Abigail (February 1, 2021). "Shon Barnes sworn in as Madison's 30th police chief". The Cap Times. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- ↑ DuClos, Danielle (November 26, 2024). "Madison police chief wants officer body cameras by 2027". The Cap Times. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- ↑ Charles, Sam; Sheridan, Jake (July 2, 2026). "Larry Snelling's retirement means Chicago police superintendent search begins again". The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- ↑ Lehr, Sarah (December 20, 2024). "Madison police chief accepts job in Seattle". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved August 4, 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.
- ↑ "Shon F. Barnes". University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies Center for Public Safety and Justice. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
- ↑ "Meet the Executive Board of NOBLE". NOBLE. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
External links
[edit]- "Command Staff - Police | seattle.gov". www.seattle.gov. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
- "Dr. Shon Barnes - Police Civilian Oversight Authority". www.pcoa.gov.jm. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
 | This biography article about law enforcement in the United States is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. |