Seattle is launching a nationwide search for its next police chief, with Mayor Katie Wilson saying the selection will be central to the city’s future.
Seattle is launching a nationwide search for its next police chief, with Mayor Katie Wilson saying the selection will be central to the city’s future approach to public safety and trust.
“Seattle’s next Chief of Police must be visible, accountable, and present in our neighborhoods, listening to residents, workers, and businesses across our city,” Wilson said as she announced the search for a Chief of Police for the Seattle Police Department.
“We need a leader who will also be present and engaged within SPD, with a focus on operational excellence, leadership development, and internal culture, ensuring that SPD is a great place to work and that every employee does their part to build relationships with the communities this department serves," she continued.
Wilson said she is seeking “a leader who understands that public safety starts with public trust,” adding, “It is a trust that is earned every single day.”
“The next Chief will play an integral role in shaping not just the department’s culture, but the future of public safety in Seattle,” Wilson said. “This is a pivotal moment to design a public safety system that matches our city’s values and priorities, and I intend to get it right.”
Former Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes resigned in late July after Mayor Katie Wilson reportedly asked him to step down, setting off criticism of both the chief’s handling of the aftermath of the Bite of Seattle shooting and the mayor’s decision to replace him during an active investigation.
Wilson accepted Barnes’ resignation July 30 and appointed Deputy Chief Andre Sayles as interim chief. The move came days after gunfire near the Space Needle during the Bite of Seattle festival left three people dead, including a suspected shooter, and wounded at least four others, including a 2-year-old. A 15-year-old was arrested and charged with assault, while police continued searching for other suspected participants.
Barnes and Wilson faced criticism after city officials took nearly five hours to provide substantial public information following the shooting, including whether suspects remained at large. Barnes was also scrutinized for traveling outside Seattle, including being at a police conference in Dallas when the shooting occurred. Wilson said there were “multiple factors” behind her request that Barnes resign, citing communication gaps between the Police Department and her office, but she declined to provide further details.
The mayor’s decision generated sharp backlash from some Seattle City Council members, Black community leaders and business figures. Four council members said the abrupt change risked further destabilizing a department that had cycled through four chiefs in about 2 1/2 years. Councilmember Maritza Rivera criticized Wilson’s “lack of experience” and said the decision put public safety at risk.
Wilson defended the decision as necessary to establish stronger leadership and communication protocols before additional large summer events. She said she believed Sayles could maintain continuity in the investigation and said the search for a permanent chief would focus on a leader who can improve department operations, communicate effectively with the public and maintain a consistent presence in Seattle
According to the city, the next chief will lead the development of SPD goals aligned with the mayor’s public safety vision, direct community-centered policy development, and manage the department’s budget and staffing. The chief will also be expected to build collaborative relationships with residents, businesses, advocates, the City Council and law enforcement partners. SPD is the largest municipal law enforcement agency in Washington state.
Wilson will establish a Chief of Police Search Advisory Committee made up of law enforcement executive professionals and community leaders with experience in public safety and policing matters. The committee will evaluate candidates based on community input and recommend candidates for the mayor.
The advisory committee will also receive community input through a public survey, neighborhood listening sessions and other engagement efforts in the coming months.
The city’s planned timeline for the search is:
- August: Job posting and announcement
- September-October: Community outreach and engagement
- October-November: Candidate review with advisory committee
- November-December: Candidate examination and finalists interviews with the mayor
The mayor is expected to announce her selection by the beginning of 2027.
The city said successful candidates will be “visionary leaders with an unwavering commitment to safety for all” and a strong understanding of constitutional policing in a major metropolitan area, along with significant executive-level experience in a complex policing organization. The position is open to candidates who meet minimum job requirements and align with the listed qualifications, and the process is set by the City Charter.
The process begins with a public survey that will remain open until Sept. 15, allowing community members to share perspectives on the skills, experience, and priorities the next chief should have.
The Mayor’s Office will also partner with the Seattle Neighborhood Group to host public forums across the city. The first forum is scheduled for Sept. 26 at Van Asselt Community Center in south Seattle from 12-2 p.m., with additional details on future forums to be shared in the coming weeks.
Updates on the search are expected to be posted at HERE.
