Command Staff

Shon F. Barnes is a nationally recognized leader in crime reduction and community-police relations. In recognition of his contributions, Chief Barnes was honored as a National Institute of Justice, LEADS Scholar (Law Enforcement Advancement using Data and Science) for his innovative use of technology and scientific methods to combat crime. He previously served as the Chief of Police in Madison, Wisconsin and was the Director of Training and Professional Development for the Civilian Office of Police Accountability in Chicago, Illinois. Before that, Chief Barnes was the Deputy Chief of Police in Salisbury, North Carolina (2017-2020) and held the rank of Captain with the Greensboro Police Department, where he began his career as a patrol officer in the fall of 2000. He is also a council member on the National Police Institute’s Council on Policing Reforms and Race, a nonpartisan initiative dedicated to using research and evidence to address pressing issues in police reform.

Throughout his career, Chief Barnes has championed Neighborhood Oriented Policing, which emphasizes smaller police beat responses, neighborhood ownership, and community engagement at all organizational levels. He is a national advocate for Evidence-Based Policing strategies and was inducted into the Evidence-Based Policing Hall of Fame at George Mason University. Most recently, he received the Excellence in Policing Award from The Center for Police Practice, Policy and Research at Radford University.

Chief Barnes holds a B.A. in History/Pre-Law from Elizabeth City State University (Elizabeth City, North Carolina) and a Master's degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, Ohio). He has also earned a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (Greensboro, North Carolina) with a published dissertation that explored racial profiling in police traffic stops. This work was awarded the 2018 Outstanding Dissertation Award for the College of Arts and Sciences at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

His philosophy on policing can be summarized as follows: "Community policing should be neighborhood-oriented, community-focused (encompassing both businesses and residences), problem-oriented, and grounded in the most current empirical research available to swiftly reduce crime and enhance citizens' satisfaction with police services.”

*Interim until confirmed by city council

Assistant Chief Yvonne Underwood began her career as a Seattle Police Officer in 1997.  She was assigned to a variety of positions as a patrol officer and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2014.  As a Sergeant she was assigned to the Training Unit and supervised the Field Training Officer Program.  During this time, she was responsible for approximately 60 Field Training Officers, who worked with new recruits after they completed their training at the State Police Academy. 

In 2016 Yvonne was promoted to Lieutenant.  Her first assignment was as the Watch Commander in West Precinct (downtown core of Seattle.)  In this capacity she supervised personnel assigned to the precinct and was called upon to be the Incident Commander for demonstrations, mass shooting, major crime scenes, bomb threats, mass casualty incidents and large-scale pre-planned events. 

In 2018 Yvonne took command of the Internal Investigations Section in the Office of Police Accountability.   She managed and supervised all criminal and police misconduct investigations, requiring her to oversee a caseload of close to 1,000 cases per year.  She also facilitated departmental relationships, wrote policy revisions, management actions and best practices to address issues that came out of the investigative work.  

From 2019 to 2022 Yvonne led a team of 30 Sergeants, Detectives, and non-sworn staff in the Domestic Violence and Special Assault Section.  The Section is responsible for investigating all Domestic Violence, Elder Abuse, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse cases in addition to managing the Court Order and Firearms Surrender Unit and Sex Offender Detail.  Among her responsibilities were oversight of all investigations, which numbered close to 800 cases per year.  She reviewed, approved, and coordinated tactical operations, search warrants and data analysis to address real time crime trends, and collaborated with community partners and advocates to ensure crime survivors needs were addressed as their cases were being investigated. 

In 2022 Yvonne was promoted to the rank of Captain and was assigned to the Force Investigation Unit.  This Unit is comprised of a team of skilled investigators who respond to all serious police uses of force, including all officer involved shootings, in custody deaths to conduct an administrative investigation to determine the circumstance that led up to the use of force.  As the Commander of this Unit, Yvonne was responsible for working directly with the Office of Police Accountability and the Office of Inspector General to ensure community transparency and provide guidance on best practices for investigations, training, and management of Use of Force issues.

In 2024, Yvonne was promoted to Assistant Chief of the Professional Standards Bureau which was created under the Department of Justice Consent Decree.  As the Commander she is responsible for the Department’s adherence to the accountability structures that were put into place.  Included in those are the Training Section, Firearms Range, Audit, Policy and Research Section, Force Review Unit, and the Force Investigation Unit.

Yvonne holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies from Ohio State University.  She is a member of PERF, IACP, Washington Homicide Investigator Association, and is a member of the Advisory Council for Stronger Families and the Domestic Violence Prevention Council.

Brian G. Maxey serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the Seattle Police Department, overseeing Professional Standards, Budget and Finance, Administrative Services, Information Technology, and Intergovernmental Relations. Previously, he worked as a Supervising Assistant City Attorney at the Seattle City Attorney’s Office, where he was lead attorney for the Police Action Team, specializing in 42 U.S.C. 1983 litigation and general advice to the Seattle Police Department; as an Assistant City Attorney in Government Affairs; as Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Special Federal Litigation Unit of the New York City Law Department, representing the New York City Police Department; and as Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Justice Division of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, representing WA Department of Corrections and the Criminal Justice Training Commission. Brian also previously served on Federal monitoring teams in Cleveland and Baltimore and worked as a consultant driving best policing practices nationally.

Brian also worked for the Vera Institute of Justice, concentrating on jury and juvenile court reform; as Director of the Citizens Jury Project at the Fund for Modern Courts; and as Executive Director of Friends of Hudson River Park.

Brian holds a JD from Fordham University, an MPA in Policy from New York University, and a BA from Occidental College, and attended the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police. He is licensed to practice law in Washington, New York, and California.

Assistant Chief Todd Kibbee joined the Seattle Police Department in 1993. A/C Kibbee spent the first part of his career on patrol in the North Precinct, where he served as an Officer and a Sergeant. In 2013, He transferred to the Human Resources Section, where he was the Early Intervention Coordinator and worked on SPD's response to the DOJ Settlement Agreement. A/C Kibbee was promoted to Lieutenant and served as a watch commander at the West Precinct. He later became Commander of the West Precinct Bike Unit, where he coordinated and led the Bike Unit's response to demonstration management, narcotics enforcement, and special events. Upon promotion to Captain in 2019, A/C Kibbee became Commander of the South Precinct, where he worked diligently to ensure collaboration between SPD and the community.

In 2021, he was promoted to Assistant Chief and oversaw the Metropolitan Bureau, which includes the Traffic Section, the Seattle Police Operations Center, homeland security functions and federal grant administration. In July 2023, A/C Kibbee became Patrol Operations Chief, overseeing five SPD precincts and all uniformed personnel responsible for 911 call response and crime reduction.

A/C Kibbee has served as Incident Commander for a variety of parades, rallies, and demonstrations within the City of Seattle. A/C Kibbee has worked extensively on city events including Seafair, Bite of Seattle and as the overall incident commander for the 2023 MLB All-Star Game. 

A/C Kibbee holds a B.A. in International Studies from Norwich University and has completed the Department of Homeland Security Leadership Academy, (DHSLA). He is a graduate of SPD's Command Leadership Program and the Senior Management Institute for Police. (Boston, MA)

A/C Kibbee is an avid golfer, a long-time youth sports coach, and currently serves on the managing board of a non-profit Little League Baseball complex.

I have been with the Seattle Police Department for 24 years. When I was attending the University of Washington completing my Society and Justice bachelor’s degree, I worked as an intern with the Seattle Police Department’s Victim Assistance Unit, and after that knew I wanted to work for SPD. Working with crime victims was an effective way to start my law enforcement career experiencing how crime impacted the community.

I have worked a substantial portion of my career in the Patrol Bureau. After I was promoted to sergeant in 2015, I was assigned to the North Precinct for a few years, so I am happy to be back. I was promoted to Captain in 2021 and had the opportunity to lead the Force Review Unit where I was the Chair of the Force Review Board. I feel fortunate to be the Captain of the North Precinct and my goal is to effectively lead these excellent Officers, Sergeants, Lieutenants and our valuable Administrative Staff so we can protect and serve the North Precinct communities.

Assistant Chief Tyrone Davis joined the Seattle Police Department in 1999. He began his SPD career at the East Precinct, where he worked assignments in Patrol, Pro-Act Bicycle Squad, Community Police Team, and Anti-Crime Team.

In 2014, A/C Davis was promoted to Sergeant and spent three years as an investigator with the Office of Police Accountability. In 2017, he was assigned to the Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse Unit. In the Summer of 2020, he worked as an Acting Lieutenant responsible for operations in the Special Operations Center, during an extended mobilization period, in response to large scale demonstrations.

A/C Davis was promoted to Lieutenant in 2021 and served as a Watch Commander at the South Precinct. In 2022, he was assigned to the Community Service Unit where he managed the Community Service Officers focused on community engagement, juvenile outreach, and patrol support.

During his tenure as a Sergeant and Lieutenant, A/C Davis served in secondary roles focused on police reform, compliance, and accountability. He worked as an Adjunct Tactics Instructor in the Education and Training Section where he taught patrol tactics, rapid intervention, and de-escalation. He served as standing member on the Force Review Board and was a panelist during the Office of Inspector General’s Sentinel Event Review.

In 2023, A/C Davis was promoted to Assistant Chief of the Special Operations Bureau, which includes SWAT, Hostage Negotiations Team, Arson/Bomb Squad, Harbor Unit, Canine Unit, and CBRNE. He also remains active in the community, attending community meetings, events, and advisory councils in support of building trust and community engagement.

A/C Davis is a US Navy veteran and served on the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) while deployed during Operation Southern Watch. Prior to joining SPD, he worked three years as a Patrol Deputy with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Hillsboro, Oregon. A/C Davis completed the Department of Homeland Security Leadership Academy and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy Session 282.

Assistant Chief Dan Nelson has served with the Seattle Police Department for 20 years. He began his career in patrol, working in the East Precinct. A/C Nelson was a Field Training Officer and served as part of the East Precinct Mountain Bike Squad. After his time in patrol operations, A/C Nelson moved to the Crisis Response Unit, where he worked as part of the inaugural co-responder team. A/C Nelson and his MHP partner responded to in-progress incidents involving community members in behavioral crises, investigated crisis-related incidents with criminal elements, and assisted with care coordination for the community’s most vulnerable individuals. 

In 2014, he returned to patrol operations and served as an acting Sergeant in the East Precinct. In 2015, A/C Nelson was promoted to Sergeant and returned to the Crisis Response program to serve as the department’s first Crisis Intervention Coordinator. As the Crisis Intervention Coordinator, A/C Nelson worked with community partners to revise policy, develop training, and improve the department’s response to those experiencing behavioral crises. 

A/C Nelson promoted to Lieutenant in 2020 and was assigned to patrol operations, where he served as a Watch Commander in the West Precinct. From there A/C Nelson was assigned to the Alternative Response Team where he contributed on a multi-disciplinary effort that provided care coordination and community resource referrals for Seattle’s unhoused community.  In late 2020, A/C Nelson was re-assigned to the Seattle Police Operations Center where he led a team responsible for planning the department’s response to significant community events, demonstrations, and departmental emergency management. In May 2022, A/C Nelson was given command of the Community Response Group (CRG) and led the department’s approach to facilitating content-neutral response to First Amendment community action.

As a Sergeant and Lieutenant, A/C Nelson served as the chair of the SPD Crisis Intervention Committee and vice-chair of the King County Behavioral Health Advisory Board and has spoken nationally and internationally on Police Use of Force, De-Escalation, and Crisis Intervention.

In 2023, A/C Nelson was promoted to Captain where he continued his support of the Community Response Group and led the Community Violence Task Force. 

Later in 2023, A/C Nelson was promoted to Assistant Chief for the Metropolitan Safety Services Bureau, responsible for the Department’s Traffic Section, Crisis Response Team, Alternative Response Team, Community Response Group, and Operations Center.  A/C Nelson is a proud ally and is the command representative for the LGTBQIA+ Community Advisory Board.  Additionally, A/C Nelson is the lead executive for safety and security planning for all matches played in Seattle during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.  Lastly, in working with various governmental and non-governmental entities, A/C Nelson provides executive-level leadership and oversight for the Seattle Police Department’s role in Mayor Harrell’s Downtown Activation Team initiative. 

A/C Nelson believes that his leadership strengths lie in his ability to communicate clearly, ensuring alignment and understanding amongst his team.  His focus on team building fosters collaboration and trust, creating an environment where everyone can contribute their best work.  With empathy and technical competence, A/C Nelson balances people-focused leadership with informed decision-making, guiding his team toward success.

A/C Nelson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management from Western Governors University.

A/C Nelson is a US Army Veteran, serving with the 25th Infantry Division at Schoefield Barracks, HI. 

Mike Fields serves as Executive Director of Human Resources. Reporting directly to the Chief of Police, Director Fields leads all human resource initiatives for the department, including recruiting/hiring, labor and employee relations, leadership development, performance management, EEO investigations, classification/compensation, benefits and payroll.  In addition, Director Fields will advise the Chief on aligning strategic human resource efforts with the overall mission of the department.

After working as a litigator in the private practice of law, Director Fields joined the Seattle Police Department in 2002 as the Employment Risk Manager, where he provided legal advice on a wide range of employment matters. In 2004, he became the Department's labor negotiator, serving as chief spokesperson in all negotiations involving the department's labor organizations. In 2014, he was promoted to Human Resources Director. Director Fields received his law degree from The University of San Diego.

Rebecca Boatright serves as General Counsel to the Chief of Police and as the Executive Director of Analytics and Research.  She oversees units responsible for audits, litigation support, public disclosure, performance analytics, research, and data-driven policing.   

Becca received both her Ph.D. (Psychology, 1999) and J.D. (2002) from the University of Washington. She has completed executive leadership courses in driving government performance at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, and is a 2018 graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum's Senior Management Institute for Police.  She is a member of the Legal Officers Sections of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and Major Cities Chiefs Association and chairs the Legal Advisors Section of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.  She also serves as a member of the steering committee for the Law Enforcement Knowledge Lab, a program sponsored by the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, that assists law enforcement agencies, communities, and researchers in improving constitutional policing, public safety, and trust in communities by providing access to policies, training, research, and best practices. 

Angela Socci serves as Executive Director of Budget and Finance leading a team focused on budget development and monitoring, program management, fleet and facility administration and jail coordination. Prior to her current role, Angela spent over 7 years in SPD Finance and Planning, advising Command Staff on issues related to finance, strategic planning, intergovernmental affairs, project management and program development. She first joined the department in 2010, working as a paralegal on civil litigation, risk management, labor relations and other employment matters. Angela graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in Political Economy.

Valarie Anderson is the Executive Director of Administration and oversees the Fiscal, Property and Fleets, Research Grants & Corporate Support, and Records & Public Requests Sections.

Valarie Anderson began her career with the Seattle Police Department in September 1990 as the Fiscal Manager where she managed accounts payable, accounts receivable, grants accounting, forfeiture accounting, cash accounting, and departmental purchasing. In May 2001, she was promoted to Director of Fiscal Property & Fleet where she continued her leadership and management role in all aspects of accounting and purchasing and worked closely with the departmental budget.

In addition, she was responsible for the effective and efficient management of all departmental vehicles and motor pool operations; as well as for the provision of logistical support, equipment, and supplies for all departmental employees during routine and special events. Valarie was promoted to CAO effective April 2008.

Education

Valarie graduated from Northeast Louisiana University with a BA in Accounting in 1979 and from City University in 1998 with a Masters of Public Administration. She has been a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Washington since 1985 and is a current member of the Washington State Society of Certified Public Accountants. Valarie is an alumnus of City of Seattle's Advanced Management Program and a 2010 graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police at Boston University.