MINNEAPOLIS — Mayor Jacob Frey appointed Bill Peterson as interim chief of the Minneapolis Police Department. The appointment follows Brian O'Hara's resignation one week earlier.
O'Hara resigned following findings that he interfered in an ongoing sexual misconduct investigation. Peterson will serve in an interim capacity while the city conducts a national search for a permanent police chief.
Peterson is a 30-year veteran of the Minneapolis Police Department, holding the rank of First Precinct Inspector. "Bill Peterson is the right leader for this moment," Frey said in a statement. "He's spent three decades serving Minneapolis, he's earned the respect of officers across the department."
Peterson has led policing in downtown Minneapolis and bordering neighborhoods since 2019. He has held leadership roles in the special operations division patrol unit, violent crimes investigations unit, robbery investigator unit, and Fourth Precinct patrol. His responses included the 2007 Interstate 35W bridge collapse, the 2011 North Side tornado, the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the 2018 Super Bowl, and periods of civil unrest.
"When I was asked to step into this role, I felt compelled to answer the call. At a time when the Minneapolis Police Department needs experienced, steady leadership, I am honored to serve and ready to lead," Peterson said. "My focus will be on maintaining stability, supporting officers, building on the progress we've made, strengthening trust with our community, and ensuring every resident feels safe in the city we are proud to serve."
On May 27, department senior leadership met with Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette, expressing a preference for an internal candidate for the permanent chief position. The following day, Frey attended a weekly meeting to encourage officers interested in the permanent chief role to apply and contacted veterans to gauge their interest in the interim and permanent chief positions.