After eight months as interim Chief of the Seattle Police Department, Sue Rahr is stepping down, bringing an end to a transformative chapter for the department.

Sue Rahr’s interim role as Seattle Police Chief winds down this week as the city prepares to welcome Mayor Bruce Harrell’s nominee Shon Barnes, chief of police in Madison, WI, as the new head of the agency.

The transition of power at the top of the Seattle Police Department (SPD) will officially commence this week.Sue Rahr, who has served as the interim police chief in Seattle since May 2024, will clear out of the office Wednesday,

Shon Barnes will head a department challenged by its last chief's firing, allegations of discrimination, staffing shortages and the vestiges of federal oversight.