Posted on 12/20/2024 10:41:47 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes is leaving the department after being selected to lead the Seattle Police Department, the Seattle Mayor’s Office announced.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said Barnes was chosen after a nationwide search. Chief Barnes has been with the Madison Police Department since 2021.
Communities nationwide heard from Barnes this week after a 15-year-old student opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School, in Madison, killing two people and wounding several others.
“Earlier this week, under tragic circumstances, the nation received its introduction to Chief Shon Barnes,” said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. “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.” Mayor Harrell added that he expressed his condolences to Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway as the community heals from the deadly attack.
Chief Barnes said he is honored to accept the position.
“My family and I are excited about the opportunity to integrate into Seattle’s vibrant community, known for its diversity, innovation, and resilience,” Barnes stated. “I look forward to working alongside the dedicated men and women of the Seattle Police Department to uphold these core values.”
While the announcement was made Friday morning, a video posted to the City of Seattle YouTube account on Thursday afternoon shows Barnes introducing himself as Seattle’s new chief of police. He acknowledges the tragic shooting in Madison, and said his immediate responsibility is supporting Madison officers.
“I look forward to joining you in person next month to learn more about the Seattle Police Department and our commitment to safety and service,” Barnes said in the video. “I want to emphasize the importance of unity and collaboration. These values were on full display this week.”
He is expected to be introduced to the Seattle community in January of 2025. Seattle Mayor Harrell said he believes Barnes will help the city realize its “One Seattle” commitment to the safety of every person in every neighborhood.
“I am confident Chief Barnes is that leader, and that he can further advance positive strides in public safety in Seattle, rooted in innovation, accountability, and community partnership,” Harrell said.
NBC affiliate KING 5 confirmed previously that Barnes was a top contender for the position.
Barnes previously served as the Director of Training and Professional Development for the Civilian Office of Police Accountability in Chicago. He was also the Deputy Chief of Police in Salisbury, North Carolina (2017-2020) and a Captain with the Greensboro Police Department where he started as a patrol officer in the fall of 2000.
Barnes has previously considered leaving Madison on two other occasions. In 2023, he was a semi-finalist for Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, but ultimately did not get the job. In Oct. 2024, he spoke with San Jose city officials about available positions, but did not formally interview.
Through an open records request, 15 News obtained an email from Barnes dated Oct. 23, in which he assured the department of his commitment to Madison.
“My family and I are excited about the opportunity to integrate into Seattle’s vibrant community, known for its diversity, innovation, and resilience,” Barnes stated. “I look forward to working alongside the dedicated men and women of the Seattle Police Department to uphold these core values.”
Core values: Diversity, Innovation and Resilience.
He’s got the lingo down, for sure! *Rolleyes*
Whenever their is a police press conference on a mass shooting, why does the guy-gal in charge spend most of it thanking and fluffing up endless federal, state, local, agencies and bureaucrats?
$100 says this guy probably spent all of one month in an actual police squad car answering calls and doing actual police work. City administrators who have never been the police, either, keep letting these carpet-bagging clowns bamboozle them.
That may explain his woke BS after the trans-lesbian mass-murderer did all that.
I was going to ping you. There’s ALWAYS more to the story, isn’t there? ;)
Exactly.
I always thought that ‘core values’ were things like being obedient to God, LOVING your country, raising your children to know Right from Wrong, being Honest and Faithful, etc.
Boy, am I ever getting OLD! *SMIRK*
Is this the guy who couldn’t say if the shooter was male or female (when they already had the body)?
Properly woke, requisite melanin content, just a shame he’s male but 2 out of 3 must be enough.
Yep, and also whether or not it was transgender was of no importance. In any case, I’m sure he’ll fit right in in his new job.
Another DEI hire who will fail as do the rest....
Just another leftist political hack gadfly moving from one communist hive to another.
I believe so, yes.
And it’ll make little if any difference in his life.
The core values of the police department are only to serve the public, protect the public, keep the peace, and uphold the laws. Skin tone, bedroom preferences, and pronouns aren’t in that mission anywhere. He’ll be a perfect fit for that cesspool.
Quite.
Crime there is out of control but nothing will improve. Seattle is down 700+ police officers and few want to work in that pro-criminal environment.
He’s leaving a town filled with far left crazies and going to a far left town filled with crazies but with better scenery.
Oh yeah!
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