Brian O’Hara has resigned as police chief of Minneapolis after an investigation found he interfered with an inquiry into allegations involving his conduct, city officials confirmed.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced Tuesday that he accepted O’Hara’s resignation following findings that the police chief breached trust during an internal investigation process.
“This is not about being intolerant of mistakes; everyone makes mistakes, including me, but what I can’t allow is a breach of trust,” Frey said during a news conference. “When you serve as chief of the Minneapolis Police Department, trust is not secondary to the job, it is the job.”
O’Hara, who became Minneapolis police chief after the 2020 death of George Floyd sparked nationwide protests and police reform efforts, had initially been investigated over anonymous allegations claiming he engaged in sexual relationships with city employees.
According to officials, an outside investigation concluded months ago and determined that the allegations themselves were unsubstantiated. However, a separate inquiry later found that O’Hara interfered with the investigative process.
An investigative report obtained by NBC News alleged that O’Hara intentionally deleted a contact card from his city-issued cellphone in an effort to conceal evidence linking him to one of the employees involved in the investigation. Investigators reportedly found the contact card present on May 1, 2025, before it disappeared days later without any technical explanation.
The report also stated that O’Hara discussed details of the investigation despite direct instructions not to do so. Investigators said he informed another employee that his phone had been seized as part of the probe.
Mayor Frey said the interference did not change the outcome of the original investigation but still represented serious misconduct and a significant breach of public trust. The mayor revealed that disciplinary action, including possible termination, was being prepared before O’Hara chose to step down.
In a formal letter, Frey said O’Hara would receive a written reprimand for what was described as “serious misconduct.”
City officials also confirmed there are currently 17 additional open complaints involving O’Hara, though authorities declined to provide further details about those cases.
Todd Barnette thanked O’Hara for his service, noting that he played a key role in advancing police reform initiatives and rebuilding staffing levels within the department during a challenging period for the city.
Meanwhile, Assistant Police Chief Katie Blackwell has been appointed acting police chief effective immediately.
