Chief Barnes to stay on as Seattle Mayor-elect Wilson maps out public safety future

(The Center Square) – Seattle Mayor-elect Katie Wilson signaled the direction of her public safety agenda with her Wednesday announcement that Police Chief Shon Barnes would retain his position in her administration, while also pointing to a focus on coordinating with the city’s expanding Community Assisted Response and Engagement, or CARE, team.

CARE provides unarmed, community-based responses to mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness crises, connecting people with services, supplies and shelter.

Wilson said she is also retaining Seattle Fire Department Chief Harold Scoggins, Office of Emergency Management Director Curry Mayer, and CARE Chief Amy Barden.

“I believe these leaders can work together and form a unified team committed to strengthening coordination, reform, accountability, and results,” Wilson said in a news release.

Wilson was a vocal proponent of the “defund the police” movement after George Floyd’s murder in May 202...