Seattle is just months away from appointing a new police chief, Mayor Katie Wilson has said, after more than 40 qualified candidates applied for the role.
Wilson said the city had received 44 eligible applications by the end of October, including a significant number from serving or former Seattle Police Department officers. An advisory committee is now reviewing the candidates and will select those who progress to the next stage.
The committee is expected to recommend up to five candidates for a competitive examination, after which three finalists will be put forward for the mayor’s consideration. Wilson is expected to announce her choice by the beginning of 2027, subject to confirmation by Seattle City Council.
Seattle police chief search shaped by public input
The recruitment process has included a public survey, listening sessions and meetings with community and cultural organisations across Seattle.
Feedback gathered during the outreach has called for a chief with strong links to the city, a visible presence in local communities and a commitment to accountability, transparency and public trust.
Residents also highlighted the need for improvements to 911 response times, patrols and co-ordination within the department. They said the successful candidate should be collaborative, data-driven, culturally competent and able to work effectively with other city agencies.
Seattle Neighborhood Group executive director Aaron Yoon said the discussions had provided a safe setting for residents from different backgrounds to offer constructive views about public safety.
Mayor Wilson said the next chief would have an “indispensable role” in creating a public safety system that reflected Seattle’s values and priorities.
She added that the city needed a leader who would be present both in the community and within the police department, while caring deeply about both.
The search follows the resignation of former chief Shon Barnes in July, shortly after a deadly shooting at the Bite of Seattle event. Deputy Chief Andre Sayles has been serving as interim chief while the permanent appointment process continues.
Sayles has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience and previously served as police chief in Beloit, Wisconsin, before joining the Seattle Police Department in 2025.
Wilson has described the current field of applicants as the strongest candidate pool seen in years, while stressing that the final appointment must help rebuild trust and strengthen relationships between the department and the communities it serves.
