Seattle's new police chief, Shon Barnes, will prioritize recruiting, crime prevention and community engagement.

The Seattle Police Department (SPD) welcomed its new chief on Thursday. KING 5 spoke with Chief Shon Barnes about his new role joining a department struggling with understaffing and a slew of interdepartmental controversies.

Sue Rahr’s interim role as Seattle Police Chief winds down this week as the city prepares to welcome Mayor Bruce Harrell’s nominee Shon Barnes, chief of police in Madison, WI, as the new head of the agency.

Shon Barnes will head a department challenged by its last chief's firing, allegations of discrimination, staffing shortages and the vestiges of federal oversight.

The Seattle Police Department’s Interim Chief Sue Rahr will vacate her office Wednesday to make way for new department chief Shon Barnes, according to memo emailed to the department Monday.

Rahr stepped in to lead the department after Adrian Diaz was removed from his role in May 2024. SEATTLE — The transition of power at the top of the Seattle Police Department (SPD) will officially commence this week.

Sue Rahr's role at Seattle Police has come to an end after eight months as the department's interim chief. Kournikova, who stays mostly out of the spotlight, has been with singer Enrique Iglesias since 2001.