Minneapolis Police Chief Resigns Amid Investigation

The police chief of Minneapolis, who was at the helm during significant reforms following George Floyd’s death, has resigned to avoid potential charges related to obstructing an investigation, as stated by the mayor.

Mayor Jacob Frey, part of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, shared on Tuesday that Brian O’Hara stepped down instead of confronting the accusations regarding the deletion of evidence.

“When trust breaks down, it becomes extremely difficult to continue to lead effectively.”

Frey highlighted ongoing inquiries into claims that O’Hara had inappropriate relationships with several city employees. When Frey indicated that disciplinary actions would be taken regarding the alleged interference, O’Hara opted for resignation instead.

“I have accepted my resignation. It was clearly a tough decision to make, yet I believe it’s essential for maintaining public trust, and it’s the best path forward for our city,” noted the mayor.

Frey continued, “In the role of chief of the Minneapolis Police Department, trust isn’t just an aspect of your job; it is your job.” He reiterated the challenges of leading effectively when trust is compromised.

Allegations suggest that O’Hara deleted contacts from his city-issued phone, supposedly to safeguard himself, and informed colleagues about the investigation after being expressly instructed to refrain from doing so.

While a separate independent firm that investigated the relationship claims couldn’t substantiate the allegations, Frey appointed Assistant Police Chief Katie Blackwell to take over as acting chief while searching for an interim replacement.

“This doesn’t imply we overlook mistakes,” he added. “Everyone errs, including myself. However, I cannot overlook a breach of trust.”

It’s worth noting that O’Hara faced criticism for his responses to federal operations in Minneapolis and the police’s handling of incidents like the Davis Motuli shooting, as well as the August 2025 shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church.

Interestingly, despite his past criticisms, Frey had earlier this month renewed O’Hara’s four-year term, mentioning that he wouldn’t have done so had he known about the ongoing allegations.

City council members, including the president, expressed strong criticism towards Frey regarding the situation involving O’Hara.