What is next in search for new Minneapolis police chief?

Brian O’Hara, a veteran legislation enforcement officer from New Jersey, is poised to turn into the following Minneapolis police chief — if the Metropolis Council approves his nomination.

Within the coming weeks, O’Hara is predicted to attend quite a lot of native occasions as he tries to be taught extra concerning the metropolis nonetheless going through calls for to enhance police accountability and mood violent crime two years after George Floyd’s homicide.

As that unfolds, council members will weigh whether or not they suppose Mayor Jacob Frey chosen the fitting particular person for what he described as “among the many most vital hires that I’ll ever make.”

Here is what we all know concerning the search course of — and what occurs subsequent.

Why is Minneapolis trying to find a brand new police chief?

Former Chief Medaria Arradondo introduced his retirement in December, weeks after the embattled Police Division survived a bid to interchange it with a brand new company. Arradondo labored for the division for 3 many years, capping his profession as the town’s first Black police chief and overseeing it by Floyd’s homicide, the following unrest and a political debate about the way forward for policing.

Arradondo served his final day with the division in January. Since then it has been led by Interim Chief Amelia Huffman, who will proceed to serve in that position whereas O’Hara’s affirmation course of unfolds.

How did the search work?

Town introduced in March that it had employed a California-based firm, Public Sector Search & Consulting, to assist conduct a nationwide seek for the following chief, together with Cedric Alexander, who has since been employed to function the town’s first group security commissioner.

The group labored with a 12-member search committee comprised of elected officers and group leaders to cement the small print of a job description for the following chief and helped course of their purposes. The committee submitted three finalists to Frey, who interviewed them this month.

In a information convention, Frey stated he selected O’Hara as a result of he has “the type of holistic experience that we’d like proper now,” together with the power to work with different varieties of security businesses and to navigate consent decrees. Many council members realized of the nomination Thursday morning.

O’Hara joined the Newark Police Division in 2001 and rose by the ranks, in the end serving as deputy chief. In 2021, he turned public security director, overseeing not simply police but additionally firefighters and emergency administration staff. About 14 months later, he took a job as deputy mayor.

What occurs subsequent?

Frey’s announcement Thursday marks the start of a weekslong course of on the finish of which the Metropolis Council can determine to approve or reject his nominee.

When does the general public get its say?

The council will finally set a date for a public listening to, at which residents can present their enter. Council leaders saying they’re aiming to carry a public listening to in late October, with a closing vote attainable in early November.