Seattle Democratic mayor selects anti-2A police chief

The Seattle City Council still has to sign off on the decision. If the council approves, the new chief will be officially welcomed to Seattle during an event in January.

During a May 25, 2022 interview with Fox 47, in the aftermath of a school shooting, Barnes argued against the constitutional right to bear arms, saying, “Sometimes, it requires an evolution of our thinking. What was written in 1789 may not be appropriate for 2022 unless we’re OK with kids being killed.”

The search for a new chief began halfway through 2024 after the former chief was ousted in May amid lawsuits claiming discrimination and harassment against him and the department. The former chief Adrian Diaz was recently fired from the department after an investigation alleged Diaz had “an intimate or romantic relationship” with a former police department employee who he allegedly hired and supervised in a position he created for her.

According to KOMO News, 57 applications were received from across the country and the list was winnowed down to 44 candidates. In November, the top four candidates took a competitive test with three of the four candidates passing the exam and then results were forwarded to the mayor to make his decision.

Barnes has been the chief of the Madison Police since 2021. He came into the national spotlight last week following the investigation into what motivated a 15-year-old female student in Madison to open fire at the Abundant Life Christian School, killing a teacher and a 14-year-old freshman student and injuring six others. On Monday following the shooting at the school, Barnes refused to release the identity or gender of the shooter, claiming that he was trying to protect the murderer’s family because they were "also someone's child." A manifesto of the shooter revealed her to be a radical feminist who emulated other school shooters.

Harrell said in a statement on Friday announcing the appointment, that Barnes has demonstrated “impressive leadership capabilities" during the investigation.

Harrell said of Barnes in a statement, “We all saw firsthand what our team has known since we began this recruitment process – that Chief Barnes possesses the impressive leadership capabilities, compassionate approach, and dedication to effective police work needed to continue moving our Police Department forward.”

On Friday, in a video message shared with SPD officers, Barnes said it was “an honor and a privilege” to take the helm of the Seattle Police Department. He added in a statement sent by Harrell, “My family and I are excited about the opportunity to integrate into Seattle's vibrant community, known for its diversity, innovation and resilience.”

SPD is operating with the lowest number of officers since the 1950s following a mass exodus in the wake of the Seattle City Council voting to defund the department following the 2020 BLM and Antifa riots that rocked the city. Seattle is far below the safe operating levels of officers recommended for a city of its size. 911 response times have jumped and crime has skyrocketed. Despite his campaign on public safety, the mayor has been unable to fill the vacancies left by the departing officers.

SPD officers who wished to remain anonymous out of fear of retribution told The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI that the hiring of Barnes will not stop the exodus and will likely discourage people from applying to the department.

The selection of Barnes came the same week a King County Metro bus driver was stabbed to death near the University of Washington following the news that bus stops in the Chinatown-International District were being closed due to safety concerns. Last month, 10 people were stabbed in the area in less than 37 hours.

Earlier this month, five people were injured in a mass shooting in the same neighborhood.