Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes weighs in on the police shooting in Othello and a new mayor-elect

It’s been a busy year for the Seattle Police Department. 

A new chief was sworn in, the longstanding federal consent decree ended and the city reached a new contract with the Seattle Police Officers Guild that changes how it can approach unarmed crisis response.

Plus, a new mayor will take office in January.

Mayor-elect Katie Wilson announced this week that she planned to retain Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes, despite some rumors to the contrary. 

Soundside's Libby Denkmann talked with Barnes on the morning of Thursday, December 11th, about the incoming administration, the recent policing shooting in Othello, and more. 

Note: Starting at 7:45 in the interview, Barnes cites several statistics about a drop in crime. We asked SPD for more information about the decreased crime percentages, and they said Barnes is referencing the first 11 months of 2025 compared to 2024. But in reference to homicides, the information SPD gave us cites 2019 as the last comparable year, and the reduction is actually 36 percent, instead of 35 percent, as Barnes states. 

Guest
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes

Related Links

Seattle City Council approves new police contract, boosting pay and expanding crisis response -KUOW

Seattle police video shows officers fatally shooting allegedly armed man - The Seattle Times

Seattle City Council Approves Police Contract as South End Mourns Killing in Othello - South Seattle Emerald

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