Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's electoral rivals have ramped up their criticism of Police Chief Brian O'Hara, faulting Frey's oversight and the chief himself for a string of policing controversies.

Why it matters: November's election could again become a referendum on the management of a long-troubled department still under court orders to rein in misconduct and racially biased enforcement.

State Sen. Omar Fateh has "a lot of major concerns" with O'Hara's performance, the candidate told Axios in an interview. Ultimately, "the buck stops with the mayor," he added.

• Yes, but: Fateh would not say whether he'd replace the chief if elected. "No matter how emphatically passionate I feel about something, I don't act without engaging with community and colleagues."

Frey told Axios that O'Hara has his "full support," saying the chief's experience overseeing police reforms in Newark, N.J., remains invaluable as MPD navigates a similar reform process.

What they're saying: "The facts speak for themselves, and I am proud of the success we have had over the last three years," O'Hara told Axios in a statement.

• "But making change real takes time, and the work is far from over," he added. "The MPD needs continued momentum and steady leadership moving forward."

Fateh, DeWayne Davis and Jazz Hampton have all said they would've disciplined O'Hara for MPD's presence at a federal raid on Lake Street that included some immigration agents.

• Frey said the criticism smacked of political opportunism: Discipline O'Hara "for what?" he asked Axios, noting the raid stemmed from a drug and money laundering investigation.
• This week, the city auditor concluded MPD didn't violate a city ordinance forbidding assistance to immigration agents, but also faulted many city officials for poor communication that contributed to public alarm.

Plus: The challengers also criticized MPD for promoting the officer who killed Amir Locke in a no-knock raid to lead MPD's use-of-force training.

• At last month's DFL convention, Frey said the mayor can't meddle in all personnel decisions and must trust the chief.
• O'Hara later changed course and reassigned the officer.

Hampton recognized the police chief job "comes with real complexity," but told Axios he "has been disappointed recently by some of Chief O'Hara's inactions and decisions … Actions that sow division only set us back."

Davis feels O'Hara's leadership has been "quixotic," but told Axios he blamed the mayor for failing to give the chief clearer direction.

• Davis thought O'Hara's comments to the New York Post criticizing Minneapolis' "detached bourgeois liberal mentality" reflected this disconnect: "That was an expression of frustration [by O'Hara] of not having clarity about what is expected of him."

The other side: Frey praised O'Hara for replenishing MPD's understaffed ranks.

• "We've got years' worth of work left to do" on improving policing, he told Axios, "but we have put the pieces in place to be making necessary progress."

What we're watching: O'Hara's term ends in January 2026.

Share this story

Frey said O'Hara also deserves some credit for a drop in Minneapolis' violent crime.

By the numbers: Minneapolis saw 25 homicides in the first half of this year, seven fewer than the 33 murders in early 2024.

• That mirrors a 20% decrease in year-to-date homicides in 68 major U.S. cities, according to stats compiled by the Major Cities Chiefs Association.

Plus: Reports of aggravated assaults (–7%) and robberies (–33%) have also decreased compared to the first six months of 2024.

• Yes, but: Rape cases have increased by 20%.

The big picture: The stats are the latest signs that violent crime in America is falling from the COVID crime wave.

Go deeper on the national stats

⚖️ Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, elected in 2022 on a criminal justice reform platform, announced she will not seek reelection next year. (Star Tribune)

• Moriarty's charging decisions have stirred controversy with Democrats and Republicans, but she argues her approach has measurably improved public safety.

🏥 Hennepin Healthcare's board members are scheduled to meet today with county commissioners, who are weighing a government takeover of the financially troubled medical system that includes HCMC. (Background via MPR News)

🏦 Minneapolis Fed CEO Neel Kashkari says the economy is slowing and while it's still unclear how much tariffs will increase inflation, two interest rate cuts this year would be reasonable. (CNBC)

✈️ A former flight attendant who was aboard the Delta flight from Minneapolis that crash-landed in Toronto in February is suing the airline and the subsidiary that operated the flight, Endeavor Air. (KARE 11)

The Current handed the keys to the DJ booth to Colin and Sophie Hortman yesterday for a heartfelt musical tribute to their slain parents, Melissa and Mark.

Zoom in: Colin and Sophie spun some of their parents' favorites — songs from artists ranging from Led Zeppelin to alt-rockers Soul Coughing — and stories of growing up in a home that was always filled with music and joy.

• Mark loved speaker systems, rock concerts and introducing his kids to the new artists he'd discovered. His car radio was always dialed to "The Current," his children recalled.
• Melissa enjoyed grooving and singing along to her favorite tunes on "disco" walks, during weddings (especially when ABBA's "Dancing Queen" came on) and while driving the family's blue minivan.

The bottom line: "We're trying to do things that put a smile on other people's faces," Colin said during the 45-minute taped segment.

• "Because that's how they lived their whole lives, by bringing smiles to people's faces."

Listen to the 8-song playlist