It is 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday and we are pulling an earlier version of the newsletter to report that Chief O'Hara has resigned. An investigation into his conduct contained "concerning substantiated findings," though no details have been officially provided. Until they are, we will treat rumors with circumspection.
Beyond the investigation, a range of concerns about O’Hara’s performance had been raised in recent weeks by both DSA-aligned council members and some of the more moderate members. Budget overruns generated significant frustration, as did what some viewed as mishandling of the Davis Moturi shooting and the investigation into Allison Lussier’s death. Some wanted the MPD to play a more active role during Operation Metro Surge. The most frequently cited complaint, however, is what critics considered too slow a pace of reforms within the department. Others in the community viewed O’Hara as a steady presence who made genuine efforts to communicate with the public.
The Chief had been scheduled for a public hearing on June 3. We assume that is no longer on the council’s agenda. This story is developing, and readers can expect more coverage as facts become available.
More Upheaval in an Already Unsettled Moment
O’Hara’s resignation lands on top of an already unsettled moment for public safety in Minneapolis. The failure to confirm a Commissioner for the Office of Community Safety, and now the sudden departure of the Police Chief, leaves a broad field on which to rethink the path forward, if the city has the will to do so.
Two Sides of the Same Frustration
As the searches for a new chief and commissioner begin, we’d like to see a community conversation around what exactly is meant when people speak of reform, and whether that standard can be met. Minneapolis has been through a great deal. This change is yet more upheaval as the city tries to steady itself and regain the upper hand on public safety.
Rate of change is difficult to gauge. For those who have suffered directly from police abuse, reform cannot come fast enough. For those frustrated by crime and lawlessness on their streets, change is also too slow, the difference is that they still believe police are an integral part of the solution. We’re hopeful the current upheaval can be resolved in a way that leaves all residents feeling the MPD is genuinely serving them.
Define Success Before Filling the Seats
As that process unfolds, the central question deserves to be asked plainly: what does success look like, and how will we measure it? The city has an opportunity, amid this reset, to define those outcomes clearly before filling either seat, rather than after.
