Seattle mayor gives official explanation for police chief’s forced resignation

(The Center Square) – Seattle City Councilmember Bob Kettle acknowledged receiving a long-awaited formal explanation from Mayor Katie Wilson’s administration regarding the forced resignation of former Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes on Friday. He maintains he still disagrees with how the executive branch handled Barnes’ ousting.

In a letter sent on behalf of the mayor, General Counsel Caedmon Cahill confirmed that Wilson explicitly requested that Barnes step down.

“After careful consideration, the Mayor requested his resignation due to the need to build a cabinet that is aligned with her administration’s values, policy goals, and vision for the Seattle Police Department,” the letter states.

Wilson sought Barnes’ resignation following the fallout from the Bite of Seattle shooting, which left three dead and the media and public waiting for hours for information on the shooting amid communication delays.

Though the mayor’s legal team argued the City Charter does not obligate Wilson to file formal reasons when accepting a chief’s resignation, Kettle noted the inclusion of the City Clerk placed the explanation on record, marking the first time Wilson has provided her rationale directly to the council.

“It is no surprise that I disagree with this decision and how the issue was handled, but I understand her ability to do so based on the Seattle City Charter to which we both swore an oath to uphold,” Kettle wrote.

Wilson’s office issued a statement to The Center Square, saying the chief resigned and they’re looking for a replacement.

“The requirement to file reasons for dismissal does not apply to a resignation. Mayor Wilson is moving forward with the community and an advisory group to select a permanent police chief,” the statement said. “In the meantime, the Mayor is also working with Interim Chief Sayles to ensure continuity of police operations, keeping morale strong, transparent communications, and setting the department up for a seamless transition to the next police chief.”

Public safety controversy

The office also issued a separate statement detailing the steps Wilson’s administration is taking on public safety.

“We’ve more than doubled crisis care responders’ hours, have 3,500 police officer applications in the queue, and are actively recruiting a new police chief,” the mayor’s statement said. “Next week we’ll be sharing an update on our shelter acceleration work and rolling out a comprehensive gun violence reduction strategy. The work to reduce violence and increase safety in Seattle never stops in my office.

“Seattle is making progress, step by step,” the statement continued. “While any violence is too much violence, it is important to understand that SPD data show shootings and homicides at their lowest in a decade. And yet, we have far too much crime and public disorder and people have a right to be frustrated. I, like everyone in Seattle, want to see that progress happen faster and steadier.

“When we work in collaborative, transparent partnership on these goals, we make real progress on what matters most – creating a Seattle that is comfortable, safe, and prosperous,” the statement concluded.

The friction between mayor and Kettle reflects a wider divide, where Seattle council members have questioned the decision to oust the police chief and Wilson’s handling of public safety as a whole.

Lawmakers and local leaders have repeatedly pointed out that overall crime was trending downward under Barnes’ leadership, raising questions about the necessity of his departure.

Further frustration stemmed from a non-disclosure agreement and a severance package exceeding $700,000 negotiated upon Barnes’ departure, which critics argue shielded the administration from transparency while leaving the public without detailed answers.

Polls and recall attempt

The dispute over police leadership comes as Wilson faces severe political turbulence and plummeting public support over her handling of local law enforcement.

Recent polls have shown plunging approval numbers and a lack of confidence in Wilson’s public safety plan, with a majority indicating she should resign or be removed from office.

Earlier this week, the Seattle business community called out Wilson for her handling of public safety as well.

Local residents also recently initiated a formal recall petition against Wilson, citing her administration’s failure to uphold public safety duties and its rocky management of police department leadership.

Although the petitioners temporarily withdrew the recall filing to assemble additional documentation, the mounting frustration among voters underscores the precarious environment surrounding the search for a permanent police chief.

Kettle emphasized the need for the mayor and council to work together during that process.

“As we move forward, it is important for the Mayor’s Office and the City Council to work collectively and continue to abide by the Charter to find a quality candidate for the Chief of Police that will be selected by Mayor Wilson and reviewed and confirmed by the City Council,” he wrote.

By Andrew Paxton | The Center Square