To Secure the Future of Minneapolis, Continuity is Key: The Case for Chief Brian O’Hara

O’Hara proved that public safety and constitutional policing are not mutually exclusive; they are two sides of the same coin.

In the harrowing summer of 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, Minneapolis became the epicenter of a reckoning with American policing. In the years that followed, our city occupied a dark, uncertain place, characterized by a breakdown of law and order, a fractured relationship between the community and the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), a depleted force, and a desperate need for a new direction.

Today, while the scars remain, Minneapolis is in the midst of a critical rebound. At the heart of this recovery is a fundamental transformation of public safety, led by Police Chief Brian O’Hara. As his term approaches a point of evaluation, the decision before the Mayor and City Council is clear: For the sake of stability, reform, and the safety of every resident, Mayor Frey’s re-appointment of Chief O’Hara must be confirmed by the City Council.

A Proven Architect of Reform

Chief O’Hara arrived in Minneapolis as an outsider—a necessary perspective for a department that had long been insulated by its own culture. He brought with him the unique experience of having navigated a federal consent decree in Newark, New Jersey, and he has applied that expertise here with surgical precision.

The scale of reform currently underway is unprecedented, even as the political landscape shifts beneath it. Last year, when the Department of Justice under President Trump moved to dismiss the proposed federal consent decree, it could have signaled an end to oversight. Instead, it became a moment of local resolve. Mayor Jacob Frey immediately signed an executive order to implement the federal reforms anyway, famously declaring, “We’re doing it anyway” because accountability is not optional. Under Chief O’Hara’s leadership, the MPD is not only navigating the rigorous, state-court-enforceable settlement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) but is also voluntarily adopting the scrapped federal standards as a blueprint for professionalization. Rather than treating the lack of federal pressure as a reprieve, O’Hara has leaned into these higher benchmarks, proving that the department’s drive for reform is internal and permanent, not just a response to a court order.

From overhauling use-of-force policies and banning no-knock warrants to implementing rigorous new training on the duty to intervene, the “Department Reborn” is not just a slogan; it is a documented reality. The City’s own progress reports and independent evaluations from groups like the League of Women Voters highlight a department that is finally doing the heavy lifting of systemic change.

Results in the Face of Upheaval

Perhaps the most compelling argument for O’Hara’s leadership is how the department has behaved during moments of renewed tension. Since 2020, our city has continued to face societal upheaval and periods of civil unrest. However, the MPD’s response under O’Hara has been marked by a notable absence of the kind of conduct complaints and escalations that characterized previous eras.

This shift in culture was most recently visible during “Operation Metro Surge.” This collaborative initiative—targeting violent crime and the street racing that has plagued our neighborhoods—demonstrated that the MPD can be proactive and effective without being predatory. By focusing on high-visibility enforcement and partnership with the State Patrol and Hennepin County, O’Hara proved that public safety and constitutional policing are not mutually exclusive; they are two sides of the same coin.

The Danger of the “Reset Button”

The “rebound” of a city is a fragile thing. It requires a steady hand and a consistent vision. To replace Chief O’Hara now would be to hit the “reset” button at the exact moment the momentum of reform is reaching a tipping point.

Leadership transitions are inherently disruptive. A new Chief would mean new priorities, a potential slowdown in meeting the requirements of the MDHR agreement, and a loss of the hard-earned trust O’Hara has built with both community leaders and the rank-and-file officers who have stayed to do the work of reform.

While not error free, O’Hara’s tenure has been defined by accountability. He is often the first on the scene of major incidents, answering questions from the press and the public with a level of transparency that was once unthinkable in Minneapolis. He has managed to boost morale within a department facing historic staffing shortages while never wavering on the high standards he expects from his officers.

A Commitment to a Better Minneapolis

We are no longer the city of 2020, but we are not yet the city we aspire to be. The path toward a Minneapolis where every resident feels safe and every officer is held to the highest standard of integrity is long.

Brian O’Hara has shown he has the stamina, the expertise, and the moral clarity to lead us down that path. He has taken the MPD from the “dark place” of a few years ago and steered it toward a future defined by professional excellence and community partnership.

Minneapolis cannot afford to start over. For the continued safety of our streets and the integrity of our reforms, Chief O’Hara is the leader we need. It is time to reaffirm our commitment to the future by re-appointing the man who is helping us build it.