Minneapolis Police Chief O’Hara Resigns After Investigation, May 27

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara resigned on May 27 after an internal investigation found he interfered with a probe into his conduct. Mayor Jacob Frey announced the resignation at a Tuesday evening press conference, saying O’Hara’s actions broke the trust required for the role. The departure comes just weeks after Frey re-nominated O’Hara for another four-year term leading the department.

What the Investigation Found

An investigation concluded that O’Hara intentionally deleted a contact card from his city-issued cellphone to shield evidence from investigators. The contact was present on his phone on May 1, 2025, but was removed by May 7. Investigators found no technical explanation for the deletion. O’Hara denied deleting the contact in interviews conducted in June and April.

The Original Allegations

Last year, Mayor Frey’s office received an anonymous complaint alleging O’Hara had engaged in sexual relationships with city employees. An outside investigation concluded several months ago and found those allegations were unsubstantiated. However, O’Hara also discussed the original investigation after receiving explicit instructions not to do so. He told an employee that his phone had been taken as part of the probe.

Why Trust Mattered

Mayor Frey said O’Hara’s interference constituted a significant breach of trust. “Trust is not secondary to the job, it is the job,” Frey stated at the press conference. “When trust is broken, it becomes extremely difficult to continue leading effectively.” Frey informed O’Hara he would face discipline up to and including dismissal. O’Hara chose to resign instead.

Leadership Transition

Assistant Police Chief Katie Blackwell took over as acting chief effective immediately. Blackwell is expected to be among the candidates for the permanent position. O’Hara had led the department since November 2022, when he was appointed to reform the force following the 2020 death of George Floyd.

Final Thoughts

O’Hara’s resignation removes a key figure from Minneapolis police leadership just as the department continues post-Floyd reforms. The interference findings, though the underlying allegations were unsubstantiated, underscore how investigative integrity affects public trust in law enforcement.

FAQs

Disclaimer:

The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes.  Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.