Article by Becky Fillinger
Every month Ward 7 Council Member Lisa Goodman hosts Lunch with Lisa at the Minneapolis campus of St. Thomas, and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara was a special guest at the February 1 lunch. Over 100 citizens from Goodman’s Ward attended the session to hear Chief O’Hara talk about priorities for his department.
Ward 7 Council Member Lisa Goodman and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara
O’Hara has been on the job for just under three months. He stressed several times that there is tremendous opportunity and desire for change in Minneapolis. So many have experienced trauma – both the public and police. He believes the officers who remain are incredibly dedicated and performing multiple jobs, and that the time is right for all of us to take advantage of the desire for progress that is universal across the city.
Here are some of the items he shared with the audience:
• There are
two ongoing investigations with the City of Minneapolis Police Department – one with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and one with the U.S. Department of Justice. The outcome of both investigations may include mandates for reforms within the Police Department.
• Staffing issues are a priority for the MPD. The Department is down a few hundred officers that are budgeted for – O’Hara is pursuing ways to attract more young people to the job and to certify officers more quickly if they have relevant experience and abilities.
• He acknowledges that Minneapolis has an absolutely unacceptable level of gun violence. His goal is to collaborate with partners who are also seeking a reduction in gun violence (FBI, BCA, Hennepin County Sheriff, U.S. Attorney’s Office) and to be laser focused on moving gun violence prosecutions to the U.S. Attorney’s purview for federal prosecution.
• MPD has an interest in using drone technology to assist their policing efforts. The equipment is purchased, but O’Hara is awaiting an opinion by the ACLU as to whether drone surveillance would unintentionally violate citizens’ rights under Minnesota law.
• Being present in the community is a priority. MPD is building (or rebuilding, in some cases) relationships with community-based organizations to be visible. Police League Activities have been re-engaged. Pilot activities are underway – the 3rd Precinct’s Command Staff is holding crime staff meetings in the neighborhoods they serve.
• Increasing officer morale is a priority. O’Hara is instituting a means of rewarding officers who exhibit good behavior to build motivation and to also hold bad actions accountable.
• Engagement and trust building is just as important to Chief O’Hara as preventing crimes. His goal is to do everything the MPD possibly can to have fewer victims of crime and to build a level of confidence with the community - these are the two pillars of his department’s mission.
O’Hara mentions the MPD’s social media and requests that you follow them: Instagram and Facebook.
Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 6:52PM