Minneapolis police chief resigns after probe into personal conduct

O'Hara has held the post since 2022.

By Ben Whedon

Published: May 27, 2026 11:16am

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara on Tuesday resigned from his post after an investigation found that he maintained sexual relationships with public employees.

Mayor Jacob Frey confirmed O'Hara's resignation in a press conference, saying "when you serve as chief of the Minneapolis Police Department, trust is not secondary to the job, it is the job. When trust is broken, it becomes extremely difficult to continue leading effectively."

Assistant Police Chief Katie Blackwell will assume the chief's duties in an acting capacity.

O'Hara has held the post since 2022. His tenure coincided with considerable civil unrest in the city, especially amid President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown in the area. Minneapolis is also facing large-scale investigations into misuse of public funds and federal fraud.

Minneapolis currently boasts one of the highest crime rates in the nation. Local authorities have reported nearly 2,400 motor vehicle thefts in 2026 alone.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.