Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara Resigns Amid Misconduct Investigation

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara resigned on Tuesday following a report that concluded he likely interfered with an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct. The resignation occurred after a meeting with Mayor Jacob Frey, who had recently nominated O’Hara for a second term.

Mayor Frey issued O’Hara a “serious misconduct” reprimand upon receiving the report. Frey stated that he had lost confidence in the chief’s ability to lead, noting that “trust is not secondary to the job, it is the job.”

Investigation Findings and Misconduct

The investigation found no evidence to confirm allegations that O’Hara had improper sexual relationships with city employees. However, it concluded that he probably deleted a contact from his phone last year during a previous internal investigation.

In a letter to O’Hara, Mayor Frey stated that this behavior demonstrated poor judgment and was inconsistent with the integrity required for the role. This interference made it “extraordinarily difficult” for O’Hara to continue effectively in his position.

A Tenure of Reform and Turmoil

O’Hara was appointed in November 2022 to steady a department in turmoil following the 2020 murder of George Floyd. During his tenure, four officers were sentenced for their involvement in that killing, including Derek Chauvin, who received a 22.5-year prison term and a concurrent 21-year federal term.

In 2023, a two-year Justice Department investigation concluded that the department had engaged in a pattern of excessive force and unlawful discrimination against Black Americans.

Despite these challenges, O’Hara is credited with reversing a wave of resignations and preventing the disbandment of the department. Todd Barnette, commissioner of the Minneapolis office of community safety, thanked O’Hara for his commitment to public safety and police reform.

Significant Events and Public Conflict

O’Hara’s leadership spanned several high-profile tragedies, including a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic school and the June 2025 murders of Democratic Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband.

He also emerged as a critic of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement in the city. O’Hara condemned the January deaths of unarmed U.S. Citizen protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti, stating that residents had “had enough” of the violence.

Future Outlook for the Department

Assistant Police Chief Katie Blackwell has taken over as the acting leader of the department. She is expected to be among the candidates considered for the permanent replacement.

The city may now focus on maintaining the staffing gains and crime reductions achieved during O’Hara’s term. The selection of a permanent chief could be pivotal in continuing the department’s efforts toward transparency and community collaboration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Chief Brian O’Hara resign? He resigned after an investigation found he probably interfered with a sexual misconduct probe by deleting a contact from his phone. Who is leading the Minneapolis Police Department now? Assistant Police Chief Katie Blackwell has assumed acting leadership until a permanent replacement is found. What achievements are attributed to O’Hara’s tenure? He is credited with increasing the officer count from 550 to over 640, increasing applications by 200%, reducing city crime, and reversing a trend of officer resignations. How should a city balance a leader’s operational achievements against a breach of professional trust?