Minneapolis Police Chief Resigns Amid Investigation

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara has resigned after an internal investigation into his conduct was disclosed by Mayor Jacob Frey. At a press conference, Frey emphasized that trust is an essential component of the chief's role, stating, "When trust is broken, it becomes extremely difficult to continue leading effectively."

The investigation found that O'Hara had interfered with a prior probe that included allegations of his involvement in relationships with city employees. In a written reprimand, Frey noted that O'Hara had "knowingly and intentionally" deleted a contact card for a city employee from his city-issued phone to hide evidence from investigators. While the initial allegations were not substantiated, the mayor stressed that O'Hara's actions constituted a significant breach of trust.

Effective immediately, Assistant Police Chief Katie Blackwell has been appointed as the acting police chief. This resignation comes shortly after Mayor Frey re-nominated O'Hara for the position, citing him as "the right leader for this moment." O'Hara, who has served since November 2022, previously worked in Newark, New Jersey, where he held various roles including public safety director and deputy mayor.