The mayor’s pick to lead the Seattle Police Department appeared before the Seattle City Council’s public safety committee Tuesday as the process plays out to approve the appointment.
Interim SPD Chief Shon Barnes promised Tuesday to pursue “continuous improvement” at the department including learnings from academic studies of SPD and recommendations for improving the department’s record around investigations. Barnes also said he supports growth of SPD’s Real Time Crime Center and “public space cameras” along with using more civilian staff to help make the city safer. CHS reported here on the Real Time Crime Center and camera pilot. Meanwhile, the mayor’s office says it is considering expanding the pilot to include Capitol Hill.
In addition to a focus on documenting best practices and better training for detectives, Barnes spoke at length about efforts to address retention of veteran officers and hiring new recruits with initiative to collect more officer feedback and also make infrastructure investments to improve the work environment including smaller upgrades like new carpet and fresh paint. Committee chair Bob Kettle commended Barnes for his commitment to also taking on the “little things.”
Interim Chief Barnes said SPD also needs to address improvements in “procedural justice” and discipline to better ensure fairness in the process.
The psychological toll also needs to be addressed.
“There is a lot of trauma in policing — something, when I started in policing over 25 years ago, no one ever talked about — and I am glad we are finally addressing this issue and making sure people feel supported in their workplace,” Barnes said.
The interim chief said recruitment efforts including the city’s boost to hiring bonuses are working but focused on what he said was a change in attitude about SPD — “The word is starting to spread,” Barnes said as he shared forecasts showing new hires are projected to climb above 100 new recruits in 2025. The department reports it made 84 successful hires in 2024 — one more officer than it lost — barely reversing a long term trend.
SPD, according to the presentation made by Barnes Tuesday, is forecasting the department to climb over 1,000 officers in service by 2026 — up 13% from 2024.
In selecting Barnes, Mayor Bruce Harrell touted statistics from his time leading Wisonsin’s Madison Police Department including a 67% decrease in homicides, a 40% decrease in auto thefts, and a 19% decrease in reports of shots fired in 2024, “as well as advancing strategies to build an inclusive police service where 28% of officers are women.”
The mayor’s office, meanwhile, refers to the new leader as Chief Barnes but he is still on interim status until confirmed by the City Council.
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Workplaces are better when routine maintenance is performed? A novel idea by the brilliant new chief…
Now let’s talk about why SPD can’t catch perpetrators or walk regular beats.
In other countries, shop owners scrub the sidewalks every morning and maintain a pretty street presence. It would make a huge difference if Capitol Hill stores would do the same: Hose down the sidewalks every morning and scrub with a broom. (I’m looking at you, QFC). And we should all pitch in to help clean up our neighborhood! If you’re able and can afford it, pick up stray garbage, water young trees in July, August, and September, and add a little joy where you can.