Brian O'Hara

Chief Brian A. O’Hara has dedicated his career to fostering collaboration between communities and public safety divisions, incorporating alternative policing strategies to drive meaningful and lasting change.

Sworn in as the 54th Chief of the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) on November 7, 2022, O’Hara has prioritized reducing crime, rebuilding the department, and earning the trust of the community. Under his leadership, the MPD has implemented transformative reforms, enhanced operational efficiencies, strengthened community partnerships, and emphasized accountability and transparency, with the overarching goal of making the department one of the nation’s finest.

Before leading the MPD, O’Hara served as Deputy Mayor and Public Safety Director for the City of Newark, New Jersey. As Public Safety Director, he oversaw more than 1,960 employees, including 996 sworn police officers, 611 firefighters, and 346 civilian staff, while managing a budget exceeding $200 million. In these roles, he spearheaded strategic initiatives to enhance policing and public safety citywide.

O’Hara’s career in law enforcement began in 2001 when he joined the Newark Police Department (NPD). He rose through the ranks to become Captain in 2016, leading the NPD’s Consent Decree & Planning Division from 2017 to 2020. In this role, he worked closely with the U.S. Department of Justice to implement and monitor compliance with the 2016 Consent Decree, which sought to transform the NPD’s culture and operational practices.

Promoted to Deputy Chief of the Accountability, Engagement, & Oversight Bureau, O’Hara advanced internal accountability efforts, measuring the impact of reform initiatives and overseeing the Internal Affairs unit.

O’Hara holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Rutgers University–Newark, a graduate certificate from the University of Virginia, and has completed numerous prestigious leadership programs, including the Harvard Kennedy School’s Program for Senior Executives in State & Local Government, the FBI National Academy (240th Session), the FBI National Executive Institute (45th Session), and the Senior Management Institute for Police.

Chief O’Hara is married to Wafiyyah, a Lieutenant in the Newark Police Department, and is the father of two sons, Brendan, and James.