Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes is receiving more than $590,000 as part of an agreement to step down, according to a report by The Seattle Times. The arrangement comes as Barnes leaves his post amid criticism of the department’s response to a shooting at a festival.
The chief’s departure has drawn scrutiny from the city’s police watchdog, which has received 60 complaints involving Barnes, according to related coverage. Two new investigations were also opened following a clash between Barnes and a reporter, adding to the questions surrounding his tenure and the circumstances of his exit.
Other reports have described the resignation as the result of pressure from the mayor’s office. One account said a city official informed Barnes that the mayor was seeking to remove him, while coverage of the mayor’s comments has focused on the chief’s departure and the broader response to the festival shooting.
The payment and resignation are expected to remain subjects of public discussion as Seattle officials address the police department’s leadership, the watchdog complaints and the investigations. Details of the agreement and the city’s plans for selecting a successor were not provided in the available context.
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- Seattle mayor says police chief has resigned after criticism of festival shooting response