Seattle Public Records Office says 4 months to get former police chief contract released

On July 29, The Center Square filed a public records request asking for Barnes’ contract with the city. Barnes resigned from his role as police chief on July 30 following the Bite of Seattle shooting on July 26 after facing criticism that he was out of town. The news outlet has also requested a copy of his severance package.

The Seattle Public Records Office emailed The Center Square on Aug. 5 saying the contract could be provided on or around Dec. 4.

Washington Coalition for Open Government Secretary George Urb wrote in an email to The Center Square that “some disclosures are more time sensitive than others, particularly when the records are relevant to current civic issues that have the public's attention.

"The city of Seattle's contract with its recently fired police chief fits into that category," he wrote. "Agencies can ask requesters to attach a priority on the records they seek.”

He also wrote that “agencies also can consider whether disclosure is time sensitive and determine whether it's possible to accelerate the release of documents. It may not be possible to do so, but agencies can at least consider the option and work with requesters. The state Office of the Attorney General recognizes this approach. All of it is in the AGO's draft model rules for the Public Records Act. Hopefully the city of Seattle recognizes the timeliness of disclosing the former chief's contract and acts accordingly.”

When The Center Square reached out to the Seattle Public Record’s Office to inquire why it would take four months to provide the contract, Administrative Staff Analyst Razia Collins wrote that “its possible I may get the records sooner than the date below. If we are able to provide the records sooner than our estimated date, you will receive a message from us.”

She also wrote that “under the Public Records Act (PRA) agencies cannot prioritize/expedite one request over another.

"For that reason, SPD processes all requests on a first come, first serve basis," her email said. "The PRA also gives agencies latitude to estimate how long it will take to provide the records so long as the estimated response time is reasonable."

Collins blamed the agency's workload for the delay.

"One factor in determining a reasonable time estimate is the workload of the agency including other requests it is processing," the message said. "SPD’s Legal Section is currently handling an unprecedented workload. SPD receives more than 15,000 public records requests annually. Of those, we are currently processing a backlog of several thousand open requests. SPD has determined a response date of December 04, 2026. We apologize for any inconvenience and if we are able to provide the records sooner than our estimated date, you will receive a message from us.”