A very candid Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara speaking with News Talk 830 WCCO’s Adam and Jordana at the Minnesota State Fair today.
O’Hara credited the MPD’s collaboration with the federal government for the downturn in violent crime, as well as what he calls the incredible dedication of officers who have stayed with the department since the mass exodus following George Floyd’s murder.
The police chief took time to address the outside investigations into his own actions since becoming chief, saying they stem from the much-needed culture change within the department that is now actually happening.
“I just think people who are used to having power…they are not happy when they no longer have the power they used to,” he said.
O’Hara also weighed in on school resource officers, which are no longer in Minneapolis public schools after the district severed its relationship with the MPD.
“It’s especially frustrating to me that we’re not present in schools, not just for the safety issues, because there have been issues since I’ve been here of guns in schools,” O’Hara said. “Students leaving schools, armed with guns, and the police aren’t there to help. It is literally a tragedy waiting to happen.”
O’Hara also says the federal and state consent decrees the MPD must abide by will be expensive but necessary.
