SEATTLE — The Seattle Police Department’s Interim Chief Sue Rahr will vacate her office Wednesday to make way for new department chief Shon Barnes, according to memo emailed to the department Monday.
Rahr’s memo, which was obtained by KIRO Newsradio, states she is “clearing out the ‘Chief’s Office’” Wednesday. From there, “Chief Barnes will be moving into his Seattle home and start moving his stuff into the Chief’s Office,” Rahr wrote.
On Friday, there will some sort of welcome reception at City Hall for Barnes, the memo from Rahr also states. There is a possibility of more events being planned for that day as well.
Rahr said that despite her departure from the office, she will be in regular contact with Barnes and the mayor’s office for “a couple of weeks to wrap up projects and loose ends until mid-February.” She added she will still have access during that period.
Next week, Rahr stated she will send “a more detailed department wide email to wrap things up.”
“It’s going to be a lot harder than I expected to step away from my ‘interim’ police family,” Rahr said in the memo.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
James Lynch is a reporter at KIRO Newsradio. You can read more of James’ stories here. Follow James on X, or email him here.
Steve Coogan is the lead editor of MyNorthwest. You can read more of his stories here. Follow Steve on X, or email him here.
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