Frey picks 30-year MPD vet as interim police chief week after O’Hara resigned

One week after Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara suddenly resigned rather than facing discipline for interfering with an investigation into his conduct, an interim MPD chief has been named.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says Bill Peterson, a 30-year veteran of the department, will lead MPD until a permanent chief is hired.

Peterson currently serves as the first precinct inspector but has served in units across the agency during his career. He’ll replace Katie Blackwell, who was the acting chief since O’Hara’s resignation last Tuesday.

“Bill Peterson is the right leader for this moment,” Frey said. “He’s spent three decades serving Minneapolis, he’s earned the respect of officers across the department, and he understands that trust with the people of Minneapolis is paramount. Bill understands that trust is earned, and he has established a reputation of working every d...