I’m extremely honored and grateful to continue in my role as Chief of Police for the Seattle Police Department and for the amazing community that I have come to care for here in Seattle. Public safety is a shared value, and our priorities remain intact: crime prevention, community engagement, retention… [ Keep reading ]
By now, you have probably heard about the heavy winds and rain in the forecast. Just step outside, you’ll feel the gusts. There’s clearly a storm rolling in. To help you best prepare for your afternoon and morning commutes during this major “atmospheric river,” we have a few tips from… [ Keep reading ]
On January 14, the Seattle Police Department will launch the first of its 10 monthly community conversations, “Our City, Our Safety 2026” across the city, with each gathering designed to influence how the department will approach safety neighborhood by neighborhood. In partnership with the Department of Neighborhoods, the department is… [ Keep reading ]
Update December 5, 1:33 PM Under state law (RCW 10.114.011 and WAC 139-12), the release of information relating to the December 2 officer-involved shooting investigation is being managed by the King County Sheriff’s Office, which is serving as an Independent Investigative Team (IIT) for SPD. The King County Sheriff’s Office Independent Investigations… [ Keep reading ]
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… [ Keep reading ]
For more than 30 years, the loved ones of Tanya Marie Frazier have wanted nothing more than answers. Tanya, who was 14 years old, vanished on July 18, 1994. She had just left a summer school class at Meany Middle School when she went missing. Her body was found by… [ Keep reading ]
Update 11/5/25 6:00PM Under state law (RCW 10.114.011 and WAC 139-12), the release of information relating to the 10/30 officer-involved shooting investigation is being managed by the King County Sheriff’s Office, which is serving as an Independent Investigative Team (IIT) for SPD. The King County Sheriff’s Office Independent Investigations Team… [ Keep reading ]
The Seattle Police Department wishes Seattle residents a Happy Halloween and offers these safety tips as little ghouls and goblins prepare to roam from home to home. The weather is going to be rainy and dark, perfect weather for a haunting, but terrible for the little monsters to be easily… [ Keep reading ]
SEATTLE – Mayor Bruce Harrell and Police Chief Shon Barnes today celebrated a major police recruitment milestone – the Seattle Police Department (SPD) is on track to hire its 150th officer in 2025 in the coming weeks. This means that SPD will hire more officers in 2025 than in 2024… [ Keep reading ]
Police Chief Shon Barnes declared an Aurora Avenue North motel to be a chronic nuisance property following a series of violent incidents, drug dealing, and human trafficking activity. Last week, the City sent the chronic nuisance declaration letter to Madilyn Investments, owner of the Oaktree Motel, located at 8900 Aurora… [ Keep reading ]
