January 22, 2026 (Minneapolis, MN) — Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara announced the MPD has continued to make significant progress in combating serious violent crime and removing illegal firearms from city streets during Operation Metro Surge, despite unprecedented operational demands and ongoing staffing challenges among MPD members.
Over the past seven weeks, MPD officers and investigators have demonstrated sustained, data-driven enforcement, focusing precisely on violent offenders, gun crime, and repeat offenders—while maintaining professionalism, constitutional policing, and community safety.
Violent Crime Accountability and Clearance
• 5 of 7 reported homicides cleared by criminal complaint
• 9 shooting related arrests stemming from 6 shooting investigations during the reporting period
• 20 gunshot victims citywide, representing substantial reductions compared to prior years:
◦ –35% compared to the same period last year
◦ –62% compared to two years ago
◦ –60% compared to three years ago
◦ –67% compared to four years ago
◦ –59% compared to five years ago
These reductions reflect focused enforcement, improved investigative coordination, and proactive deployment strategies.
Illegal Guns and Violent Offenders Removed from the Streets
• 74 illegal firearms recovered
• 26 firearms-related arrests
• 241 high-visibility, data-driven proactive patrols conducted in known gun-crime hotspots
Enforcement Activity and Public Safety Impact
MPD made 849 total arrests, including:
• 214 domestic-related arrests, including 34 aggravated domestic assaults
• 24 non-domestic aggravated assault arrests
• 17 robbery arrests, including:
◦ 10 aggravated robberies
• 82 narcotics-related arrests
• 9 criminal sexual conduct arrests
On January 21, 2026, multiple search warrants were executed as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation. As a result of the search warrants, three firearms were recovered along with 130 grams of Fentanyl. One man has been arrested in connection to the investigation. A photograph of the firearms and Fentanyl recovered is attached below. This case represents just one example of the continued work our officers do every day to keep Minneapolis safe.
These arrests reflect a sustained focus on individuals posing the greatest risk to public safety.
Professional Policing Under Pressure
The disruptions caused by Operation Metro Surge has heightened citywide policing demands, increased protest-related deployments, and subjected our members to extended tours of duty, multiple days off being cancelled, and multiple emergency recalls. MPD remains down approximately 300 officers from our peak strength of around 900 while thousands of federal agents have been deployed to the area. Already limited resources have been stretched even more thin by increased demands. Despite these challenges, MPD personnel have remained disciplined, mission-focused, and committed to fighting serious crime while earning community trust.
“Crime is down across the board in Minneapolis, thanks in large part to the brave and courageous work of our Minneapolis police officers,” said Mayor Frey. “They continue to show up for our residents and serve as a testament to how community and law-enforcement can work together not against.”
“I couldn’t be prouder to report that our officers continue to deliver exceptional results under extraordinarily challenging conditions,” said Chief Brian O’Hara. “Their outstanding police work demonstrates that focused, professional policing—guided by data and accountability, with support of our residents—can reduce violence, clear serious cases, and remove dangerous individuals and illegal guns from our communities.”
The MPD will continue to deploy targeted enforcement strategies, prioritize violent crime investigations, and work in partnership with community members and regional law-enforcement agencies to sustain these gains.
