Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara: The Interview You Likely Missed

Most leaders hide behind surprise when disaster strikes. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara did the opposite.In a January 2025 interview with The New York Times' Michael Barbaro, O'Hara said the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent was "predictable and entirely preventable"—and that he'd said so publicly the day before it happened. Days after I recorded this episode, federal agents killed Alex Pretti, a VA nurse, in another operation that has drawn national outcry.This episode isn't about policing. It's about what leadership looks like when:The crisis you predicted happens anywayYour people are exhausted and under-resourcedYou're caught between powerful institutions and community griefOne bad moment could erase years of progressO'Hara doesn't perform. He doesn't spin. He names fear, admits fragility, and refuses to let federal agencies off the hook for dangerous tactics—even when it would be easier to stay quiet.If you lead anything—a team, a company, a movement—this interview will show you what accountability sounds like when the performance stops and the real work begins.LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW: The Daily, January 13, 2025: "Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara" with Michael BarbaroKEY MOMENTS:Why saying "this was predictable" is the hardest—and most important—leadership moveThe F-bomb that built trust instead of breaking itHow O'Hara critiques ICE without collapsing into blameWhat it means to hold both empathy and accountability at the same timeWhy "turn the heat down" isn't neutrality—it's survivalTRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses police violence, federal enforcement operations, and community trauma.Recorded January 2025. Updated following the killing of Alex Pretti on January 25, 2025.Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter  Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. Follow & Connect with Molly:https://www.youtube.com/mollymcphersonhttps://mollymcpherson.substack.com/https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcphersonhttps://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/...