Minneapolis police chief resigns amid sexual misconduct probe
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara resigned Tuesday after investigators concluded he tampered with a probe into allegations of sexual misconduct. Mayor Jacob Frey said O’Hara was facing potential discharge based on findings that he deleted a contact to obscure a link to a witness and discussed the investigation with at least one city employee despite confidentiality instructions. frey called the decision painful and a breach of trust, noting the department must rebuild credibility with both the community and its own ranks. The case began after an earlier outside investigation involving claims of sexual relationships with city employees, which initially coudl not be substantiated, but a later report found “sufficient evidence” for misconduct related to obstructing and breaching confidentiality. Frey said O’Hara was nominated for a second term only weeks earlier, and that disciplinary action is now underway as he steps down; Assistant Chief Katie Blackwell will serve as interim chief.
Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara resigned from his position on Tuesday, after investigators determined he tampered with their probe into allegations he was guilty of sexual misconduct.
Mayor Jacob Frey confirmed O’Hara stepped down during a press conference. O’Hara resigned after Frey informed him that he would take disciplinary action, including discharge, due to the results of an investigation into O’Hara’s conduct, according to the mayor.
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“When trust is broken, it becomes extremely difficult to continue leading effectively,” Frey said, calling the move an “extremely painful” decision.
“The MPD has worked hard to rebuild credibility and trust with the community and within its own ranks,” Frey added. “Our staff and residents need to know that they can trust not just the department, but also the person leading it.”
The saga started when an outside investigation was conducted last year into allegations that O’Hara had sexual relationships with city employees. The investigation concluded it could not substantiate the allegations.
But a subsequent report probing O’Hara determined that there is “sufficient evidence” to support allegations that the chief deleted a contact from his phone in order to obscure his connection to a witness in the sexual misconduct investigation.
The second report also determined there was sufficient evidence that O’Hara discussed the original investigation with at least one city employee “in contravention of explicit instructions to maintain confidentiality.” The city still has 17 open complaints against O’Hara, separate from the investigation that resulted in disciplinary action, Frey’s office told the Associated Press.
In a letter responding to the second report, Frey said O’Hara’s “unacceptable” behavior marked “a significant breach of trust.”
The development comes just weeks after the mayor nominated O’Hara for a second term, calling him “the right leader for this moment.”
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“We did not know then what we do know now,” Frey told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS this week, when pressed on why he backed O’Hara despite knowing about the sexual misconduct probe. “As I said, as recently as the chief’s announcement and his renomination, these complaints are going to get vetted thoroughly.
“If there’s something that comes up that requires additional attention, there will be discipline. That discipline is taking place here today,” the mayor continued. “If I had known earlier, I would not have renominated him. I found out later, after this confirmation, I would have reached the same conclusion.”
O’Hara began leading the department in 2022. Frey said Tuesday Assistant Chief Katie Blackwell would succeed him and serve as the interim police chief.
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