Shon Barnes stepped into his new job as Seattle's chief of police in February, bringing his background and experience to bear on the goals of crime prevention, community engagement, and officer retention. Chief Barnes, who has been inducted into the Evidence-Based Policing Hall of Fame, came to town from Madison, WI, where he also served as chief of police.

"Evidence-based policing, to me, is the use of the most current empirical research as well as officer experience in order to quickly respond to and resolve crime in order to make people feel safe," Barnes told the SGN. "We are looking at a community problem, like quality-of-life issues. Can we clearly diagnose that? And what... actions do we need in order to resolve that problem quickly and not make it worse?"

Creating trust

Chief Barnes hopes to create a sense of trust between residents and the SPD, so that people turn to the police when they need help. For years, the department has attempted to rebuild relationships following the 2020 protests, during which police used violent force in the historically Gay Capitol Hill neighborhood.

"We have to let people know that no matter how you identify, no matter what you call yourself, you are loved by this department," Barnes said, recalling that he was asked if he meant to say "love" when he said the same thing at a conference. "I said yes, because we get to serve in the community. Think about that, what an honor it is to serve someone."

On February 19, he issued a press release on the SPD's position on the immigration status of community members, and echoed similar statements.

"Throughout my career in policing and as your new Seattle Police Chief, I have unwaveringly supported the rights of undocumented people, who are vulnerable, too often victimized and exploited, and may not feel safe coming forward when they are victims of crime," Barnes wrote. "We continue to urge victims, witnesses, or anyone with information of criminal activity to engage with Seattle police officers without fear that they will be asked any questions regarding their immigration status. When people are afraid to report, crimes go unaddressed, communities become vulnerable, and more people are victimized. We cannot let that happen in Seattle."

Contentious history

LGBTQIA+ people in Seattle have a contentious history with police, who have historically used their authority to harass and discriminate against Queer people. The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, alongside Seattle Police and Seattle Fire officials, raided several Gay bars in January 2024, echoing the history of raids on LGBTQIA+ night life spaces, and many patrons felt that they were being targeted. Barnes hopes to build trust by starting from the inside.

"I think sometimes trust has been broken, but sometimes it hasn't been there in the first place," Barnes said. "It begins with making sure that the culture of my police department is inclusive of everyone, and making sure that there is no tolerance for any type of behavior internally that is offensive, because if it's allowed internally, it bleeds out."

In 2022, there was a dispute about Seattle Pride not allowing officers to participate in the parade while in uniform because of the history of Queer people experiencing trauma at the hands of uniformed officers. Barnes experienced similar contentiousness in Madison, and hopes that over time the uniform will not have negative associations.

"The officers wanted to participate in their uniform, because for them, they wanted to show the community and perhaps a young person that wants to be a cop but may be afraid of the sometimes over-masculine energy in police departments that no, we're not like that. The truth is, officers were hurt. I'm not suggesting that I'm right or that anyone else is wrong. I'm just asking that if [the uniform] is something that is keeping people from being together, then we can work that out."

The path forward

Barnes hopes that a year from now, the SPD will be on a clear path to crime reduction, see a disruption in the drug market, and have added 150 officers to the department. He also wants to see an increase in 911 callers and for people to believe that the police are there to help them.

"I want you to know that you have an advocate in the Seattle Police Department," Barnes said. "I am a Black man from the South, and I know firsthand what it's like when people discriminate and treat you differently because of things you can't change. If there's anyone in the city that understands, it's me, and we want to do whatever we can to be supportive.

"Let's partner together; let's find middle and common ground. And the things that don't matter in the big scheme of things — let's find a way to minimize those and maximize the things that really do."