Seattle Deputy Chief Eric Barden is facing serious allegations of misconduct, as Pierce County prosecutors contemplate whether to charge him with a crime. Local news investigators have discovered that Barden is under investigation for allegedly requesting another officer to lie on a police report.
The criminal case against Barden originated from a complaint in 2023, accusing him of domestic violence. The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department has recently referred the domestic abuse case to the prosecutor’s office for a charging decision. While the incident allegedly occurred over a year ago, few details are currently available.
In addition to the domestic abuse case, Pierce County records reveal another serious accusation of alleged misconduct against Barden. The prosecutor’s office stated that Barden “asked a Pierce County deputy to include false information in a police report” related to a separate domestic violence incident in 2023, where Barden was the alleged victim.
According to records, the deputy refused the request, stating that he would not break the law by including false information in his report. On June 7, Pierce County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Coreen Schnepf notified Seattle Police internal affairs officials that the case questioning Barden’s credibility should have been flagged and investigated in 2023. However, a deputy prosecutor who was new to the office failed to bring it to the attention of their supervisor.
Notably, Barden and Assistant Chief Tyrone Davis are both under criminal investigations for crimes against women. Davis faces allegations of sexual assault, while Barden is being investigated for the domestic abuse complaint. Despite being under investigation both internally and externally, Barden remains in his position.
State Senator Manka Dinghra, a King County prosecutor specializing in sexual assault and gender-based crimes, expressed concern over the situation. Dinghra believes that it would be better for the culture of the Seattle Police Department if Barden and Assistant Chief Tyrone Davis, both accused of crimes against women, were placed on leave. She emphasized the importance of believing survivors and taking appropriate action in such cases.