The Minneapolis Police Department is entering a new chapter in leadership following the resignation of former Police Chief Brian O’Hara.
Assistant Chief Katie Blackwell has now stepped into the role of acting chief while city officials begin the search for a permanent replacement to lead the department during a critical time for Minneapolis policing and public safety.
O’Hara resigned following findings tied to an internal investigation that concluded he interfered with a prior inquiry involving allegations regarding his conduct while serving as police chief. Mayor Jacob Frey confirmed the resignation earlier this week, calling the situation an issue of accountability and public trust.
Now, attention has shifted toward Blackwell, a longtime Minneapolis Police Department leader who has remained one of the department’s most visible command staff members during several major moments in the city’s recent history.
Blackwell has frequently appeared during public safety briefings, major incident press conferences, and department reform discussions following the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder and the nationwide protests that followed in 2020.
City leaders say Blackwell will oversee the department while Minneapolis officials work to identify the city’s next permanent police chief.
The transition comes as Minneapolis continues facing ongoing debates surrounding police reform, officer accountability, staffing shortages, violent crime concerns, and rebuilding public trust between law enforcement and communities across the city.
For many residents, the leadership transition represents another major turning point for a department that has remained under national attention for years.
Officials have not yet announced a timeline for selecting a permanent police chief.
This remains a developing story.
