Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to nominate Interim Chief Bill Peterson as city's next police chief

Twin Cities News Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to nominate Interim Chief Bill Peterson as city's next police chief By Aki Nace, Aki Nace Digital Producer, CBS Minnesota Aki Nace has been a web producer for CBS Minnesota since 2019. She covers breaking news and makes short-form documentary films. Read Full Bio Aki Nace, Reg Chapman Reg Chapman Weekend Anchor Reg Chapman joined WCCO-TV in May of 2009. He came to WCCO from WNBC-TV in New York City where he covered an array of stories for the station including the Coney Island plane crash, the crane collapse on the city's east side, 50 shots fired at motorist Sean Bell by New York Police, and a lacrosse team assault at Fairfield High School in Connecticut. Read Full Bio Reg Chapman Updated on: October 9, 2026 / 5:17 PM CDT / CBS Minnesota Add CBS News on Google Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is tapping Interim Chief Bill Peterson to permanently take on the mantle as the city's police chief.Frey made the official announcement at a Friday afternoon press conference, saying the next chief must be someone who "understands where we have been, who understands where we are presently, and most importantly ...  know exactly where we're going." Peterson stepped into the interim position after the abrupt resignation of Brian O'Hara, who vacated the position after an internal investigation revealed he had concealed information during a probe into his alleged sexual relationships with city employees. Frey said that during the search — which included conversations and public forums with community members across the city's five precincts — the overwhelming majority of constituents wanted a chief who was an internal candidate. They wanted someone who had experienced what the department had gone through over the last six years, Frey said.During discussions, Peterson's name came up again and again as a strong candidate, Frey said.Peterson has been with the Minneapolis Police Department for 31 years and has held several leadership positions during that time, including as leader of the First Precinct.  Bill Peterson WCCO When he was first named interim chief, he said that he was not interested in the permanent chief job because of the "constant public scrutiny" he would have to withstand.  On Friday, Peterson acknowledged that becoming the city's police chief was never part of his personal or professional plan."But when the department needed someone to step forward, I answered that call," he said. "I am honored by this nomination, and if confirmed, I'm all in." One of the first things Peterson did when he started as interim chief was to restructure the command staff. "I had to build a team with people I could count on, people that others within the department and within the community, with the city enterprise knew and respected as well," he said. If he is approved, Peterson said he'd focus on four initial areas: Public safety, public trust, accountability and the health and wellness of personnel.He says he is interested in forming partnerships and hopes to work with the City Council to ensure Minneapolis is a safe city to work, live and play in. "If for some reason I am not confirmed by the council, I am going to keep my head high and I'm going to keep working hard, wherever I land," he said.Frey said he's "very optimistic" he has the votes to get Peterson's nomination approved by the City Council. He hopes they can confirm Peterson by mid-November. In: Minneapolis Police Minneapolis Featured Local Savings 16-year-old boy fatally shot on Midtown Greenway in dispute over backpack, family says Man hurt by bullets fired into Minneapolis home, police say Woman charged in Minneapolis n