Assistant MPD chief Katie Blackwell will serve as acting chief following O'Hara's departure
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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced Tuesday that Assistant Chief Katie Blackwell will serve as acting chief, following the resignation of Brian O’Hara.
Here’s what to know
Since 2023, Blackwell has served as the assistant chief of operations for MPD.
She joined the department in 1999 as a civilian employee, became a Community Service Officer in 2000, and in 2002 became a sworn police officer. In 2019, she was promoted to lead the department’s training division. Blackwell has also served as the commander of the department’s 5th Precinct.
Blackwell is a native of northeast Minneapolis. According to a Minnesota National Guard spokesperson, Blackwell was a member of the Minnesota National Guard from December 1997 to December 2025 and served as a senior military police sergeant. She deployed to Bosnia from 2003-2004 and to Iraq from 2005-2007. At the time of her retirement, Blackwell was the Command Sergeant Major of the 84th Troop Command [brigade] in Cambridge. In 2020, Blackwell spoke during a promotions ceremony about the generations of her family who have served in the military.
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According to the city’s police complaint dashboard, there have been six complaints filed against Blackwell. All but one have been closed with no discipline issued. One case filed after 2023 remains pending.
In 2021, Blackwell testified against former police officer Derek Chauvin, who was then on trial for the murder of George Floyd.
During her testimony, Blackwell said officers are required to try to de-escalate a situation and, if force is used, to stop once the person is no longer resisting, then render any necessary medical aid they're trained to provide. While she didn't mention the officers specifically, she went through department policy and the training required of all officers.
In a statement, Blackwell told MPR News Wednesday evening the department’s operations would continue “without interruption” during the leadership transition following O’Hara’s resignation.
Blackwell said officers would continue providing “the same level of professionalism, responsiveness and dedication” during the change in leadership.
Blackwell said she was “deeply involved in the day-to-day operation of this department” and had “a strong understanding of our systems, our priorities and the challenges ahead.”
“The Minneapolis Police Department has made meaningful progress,” Blackwell said. “Through my leadership, we will continue moving forward during this transition with the same vision, focus and commitment to public safety, constitutional policing and service to our community.”
This story has been updated to include Blackwell's 2025 retirement from the Minnesota National Guard.
