O'hara's tenure under scrutiny as complaint flood follows ice surge

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara finds himself battling a fresh wave of conduct complaints, a situation he directly links to the recent ICE surge operations within the city. The timing has sparked questions about the motivations behind the accusations and the broader impact on a department still grappling with the fallout from George Floyd’s murder.

A rising tide of discontent

City data reveals a steady accumulation of complaints against O'Hara, totaling 30 since he assumed the role. While eight have been dismissed by the Office of Community Safety, finding no need for disciplinary action, a significant 22 remain open. What’s particularly striking is the recent spike: 15 of these complaints were lodged since September, according to the Star Tribune. This nearly doubles the number of complaints compared to his predecessor, Medaria Arradondo, who had a mere two on record.

O'Hara, who inherited a deeply fractured police department following the 2020 killing of George Floyd, was thrust back into the national spotlight during the ICE operations. His handling of the federal immigration enforcement activities drew criticism from across the political spectrum. “Apparently since the surge, the number of complaints have doubled, which I think that says something about it right there,” O'Hara told WCCO, acknowledging he’s unaware of the specific allegations, as details remain confidential unless disciplinary action is deemed necessary.

The opacity surrounding the complaints—neither the complainants nor the details of their accusations are publicly available—further complicates the situation. Professor Rachel Moran, a police accountability expert at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, points out the inherent ambiguity.