Seattle mayor slammed by city's police chief who worked from CHICAGO
Shon Barnes, 55, defended his travels to Chicago or conferences, denying that the trips kept him distracted from his work as Seattle's police chief after three died in a shooting in his absence.
TL;DR
- Former Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes defended his travels to Chicago and law enforcement conferences, denying they distracted him from his duties.
- Barnes believes Mayor Katie Wilson criticized his travel because she wanted to hire her own police chief.
- He stated he managed the response to a deadly shooting remotely, following protocols and communicating with city officials.
- Barnes argued that the only difference if he had been in Seattle would have been media handling, noting a delay and inaccuracies in the city's official statements.
- He was filmed in a hostile exchange with a reporter questioning his absence.
- Barnes resigned four days after the shooting, citing a desire to not uproot his family due to the perceived uncertainty of his position under the new mayor.
- The article notes Seattle's history of high turnover for mayors and police chiefs.
- Wilson's decision to replace Barnes led to a rally organized by civil rights groups in Seattle.