The East Precinct is home to one of Seattle’s most diverse and vibrant communities, including many LGBTQ+ residents and small businesses. I am committed to ensuring the precinct’s leadership reflects our shared values of respect, inclusion, and fairness.
I want to first acknowledge the concerns expressed by community members regarding the recent assignment of a precinct captain with a sustained professionalism finding in 2020.
After learning about the finding, I took immediate action and initiated the transfer of the captain in question. I also asked for a full review of our promotion process. I take the concerns of our community seriously and apologize for the oversight. We are a learning and growing organization and take this feedback seriously.
That is why I personally helped select a new East Precinct captain – Jim Britt – who will take command later this month. He will bring a proven record of collaborative leadership to serve this community including the queer community.
I also want to announce that after a thorough process, we have selected a new officer to serve as our SPD’s next LGBTQ+ liaison. Please join me in welcoming Officer Haden Barton to this role. I deeply value the partnership of the LGBTQ+ community and remain committed to transparency, respect, and a shared vision of safety for everyone in Seattle.
Chief Shon Barnes
Captain Britt has served with the Seattle Police Department for 23 years. He has spent time a significant amount of time in patrol operations and served as the Captain of Technology and Innvoation for the last four years, taking the lead on the new Real Time Crime Center (RTCC).
Captain Britt has lived in the Seattle area since he was a child. He is a graduate of O’Dea High School and holds a B.A. in Political Science and a Masters of Science in Law Enforcement Public Safety Leadership from the University of San Diego.
The East Precinct is a cornerstone of Seattle’s safety and community identity. Captain Britt will be instrumental in advancing our shared mission of equitable, effective, and community-centered policing.
Officer Haden Barton is the Seattle Police Department’s LGBTQ+ community liaison.
Born and raised in a small community in South Carolina, Officer Barton knew early on that helping his neighbors, having open, and honest, conversations, and being a proud representative of the LGBTQ+ community was the path he wanted to pursue in life.
Officer Barton attended the University of South Carolina, where he studied Media Arts and Psychology. While in college, Officer Barton partnered with Campus Pride, a non-profit organization focused on creating a safe environment for LGBTQ+ students. After graduation, Officer Barton worked for Campus Pride in North Carolina.
Wanting to give back to the greater community, Officer Barton applied to the Seattle Police Department. Since being hired in 2019, he has worked at the East Precinct as a patrol officer.
“The East Precinct is my home. It is where I have been my entire career. I know this community and I am excited to be here,” Officer Barton said. Officer Barton will also oversee the SPD Safe Place program, partnering with Sgt. Dorian Korieo.