Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara Resigns Amid Interference Probe
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara resigned on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, after an internal investigation found that he interfered with a probe into his conduct. Mayor Jacob Frey announced the resignation and stated that Assistant Police Chief Katie Blackwell will serve as acting chief effective immediately.
Investigation and Findings
The matter began when the mayor's office received an anonymous complaint alleging O'Hara had engaged in intimate relationships with city employees. An outside investigation concluded that these allegations were not substantiated.
A subsequent inquiry found that O'Hara interfered with the investigation process. According to a written reprimand from Mayor Frey:
- O'Hara deleted a contact card for a city employee from his city-issued cell phone. The contact card was present on May 1, 2025, but removed by May 7. It was the only contact deleted, and no technical explanation was found.
- O'Hara discussed the original investigation with another city employee after being instructed to keep it confidential.
- O'Hara told an employee that his phone had been taken as part of the probe.
- In interviews, O'Hara denied deleting the contact card.
"The interference did not alter the outcome of the initial investigation but constituted a breach of trust." — Mayor Jacob Frey
Mayor Frey informed O'Hara that disciplinary action, up to and including termination, was forthcoming. O'Hara chose to resign.
Remaining Complaints
The city has 17 open complaints against O'Hara, separate from the interference investigation. Mayor's office spokesperson Jennifer Lor stated that these complaints will continue to be investigated. She could not provide details on the nature of the complaints.
Leadership Transition
Assistant Police Chief Katie Blackwell will lead the department while a search for a new chief is conducted.
Background
O'Hara was first sworn in as police chief in November 2022. He previously served as an officer in Newark, New Jersey, as public safety director, and as deputy mayor of Newark. He is 47 years old, married, and has two children living on the East Coast.
O'Hara became chief as the Minneapolis Police Department was under national scrutiny following the 2020 killing of George Floyd, which sparked global protests. In 2023, the city reached a federal consent decree to overhaul police training and use-of-force policies; the U.S. Department of Justice under President Donald Trump later canceled that agreement.
During his tenure, O'Hara oversaw the police response to the August 2023 Annunciation Catholic School shooting. In December 2023, he criticized federal immigration enforcement tactics after a federal agent kneeled on a woman's back during an arrest.