Seattle’s Interim Police Chief Lives In East King County — And Takes Frequent Trips To Second Home In Illinois

Mayor Katie Wilson just canned Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes in the fallout of the shooting at Bite of Seattle, which called into question the frequent out-of-state traveler’s investment in the City he is supposed to serve and protect. Among other qualities, Wilson said in a press conference Friday morning that she’s looking to replace him with someone who is “consistently present” in Seattle and will keep travel to an “appropriate minimum.”

For now however, Seattle will have to deal with another out-of-towner — Interim Police Chief Andre Sayles said that he lives outside of Seattle in “East King County” and travels regularly to see his family who lives in his other home in Illinois. 

Barnes’ travel history came under scrutiny when he admitted he was out of town over the weekend when a shooting broke out at the annual Bite of Seattle festival at Seattle Center. In a Monday morning presser, Barnes said he was attending the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) 50th Annual Training Conference in Dallas, Texas. 

“I wish that I had a crystal ball and we could schedule gun violence, but we can’t,” Barnes said. 

And it’s true — the Chief of Police is allowed to be out of town and sometimes major public safety incidents occur without their presence. However, the issue appears greater, as Barnes has one foot in his Seattle apartment and another in his family home 2,000 miles away in Chicago, Illinois. 

Last July, Publicola reported that Barnes spent most of his weekends out of town since accepting the job earlier that same year. More recently, KUOW found that Barnes was in Chicago February 4 to 10, March 13 to 16, June 20 and 21, and July 9 to 13 per the Seattle Police Department’s (SPD) records. 

When South Seattle Emerald reporter Connor Nash confronted Barnes about his travel habit, he snapped. Classic cop shit. 

“Let me tell you something,” Barnes said. “I don’t have to tell you where I go. … I have been here working as hard as I can for this city from the day that I got here. Do you got that?”

Nash pressed, “There are reports that you are not in town often.”

“Those reports are wrong,” Barnes said. “Do you understand? Do you understand, so when we work —” 

Barnes was escorted away and did not return for a second press conference held later that afternoon. 

In the Friday press conference, Wilson did not explain Barnes’ forced-resignation with a singular reason. But Wilson did hint that Barnes’ absenteeism as part of the story when she listed “consistently present” among the qualifications for the next chief. 

“I will be looking for someone who is consistently present in Seattle, keeping travel to an appropriate minimum, and who also ensures that when they are away, there is sufficient SPD leadership in town to guide our city through any emergency,” Wilson said. 

But Sayles isn’t exactly a Seattle local himself, living outside of the City and visiting his midwestern family “frequently.”

“I maintain a home in East King County, I also have a secondary home in Illinois,” Sayles told journalists at the Friday press conference. “I do frequently go back to visit my family, probably about every eight weeks or so, but my wife spends most of her time here with me. We're looking to make this our home and the area where we can retire one day. Right now, we have some kids that we need to get settled, and one day we'll make this area our permanent home. I currently live in East King County.”

Sayles confirmed that the "East King County" home is not in Seattle, but did not specify where he lives. King County stretches as far east as Wellington, Washington, which is more than a two hour drive from Seattle.

If he’s telling the truth about his travel, Sayles leaves the state a lot less often than his predecessor. Still, some believe Sayles’ words imply his roots are in illinois. He goes “back” to his family. His wife spends most of time “out here” in Seattle. They aspire to “one day” make this area their “permanent home.”

I asked the Mayor’s office if she has concerns about Sayles’s residence outside of the city or his out-of-state travel. I also asked if her requirement that a new chief is “consistently present” in Seattle disqualifies out-of-town applicants or those who plan to live in the surrounding area.  I will update if she responds.

Her response will have to be careful. 

Based on the online backlash, there’s widespread belief that cops, especially the chief, should live in the city they serve. Living locally, some argue, helps officers understand the local culture and increases an officer’s personal stake in the community’s well-being, though the research doesn’t back these arguments in a significant way. 

However, Wilson may not be able to act on that sentiment explicitly. Under state law, cities, towns, and municipalities cannot require applicants or employees to live within the city limits to get or keep a job.