Mayor Jacob Frey, Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette, and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara announce that the Minneapolis Police Department has surpassed 600 sworn personnel for the first time since February 2023, marking an important milestone in the department’s ongoing rebuilding efforts. The milestone is a result of strategic recruitment efforts, boots-on-the-ground tactics, and a historic police union contract.

“Our police recruiting efforts are paying off, and this milestone is proof,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “But this is about far more than just the numbers; it’s about building a community-centered police department that’s a national leader in public safety. I’m proud to say that our growing team of officers is more representative of our residents than ever before, and this is a testament to an evolving department and the leadership of Community Safety Commissioner Barnette and Chief O’Hara.”

This growth comes as a recruit class began on June 4th, adding 36 sworn personnel. The class includes 21 cadets from January’s cohort, five former Community Service Officers, and 10 lateral hires from other departments. While these officers won’t be officially sworn in or begin street duty until September, they are now counted in the department’s sworn personnel totals. To date, MPD has hired 101 officers into sworn positions in 2025.

“While we recognize that we have a long way to go to be a fully staffed department, reaching this milestone is a reflection of the hard work and strategic focus we’ve brought to rebuilding public safety in Minneapolis,” said Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette. “We’re not just hiring more officers – we’re hiring the right officers. We are bringing on those who reflect the values of our city, are committed to constitutional policing, and want to be part of a department that is evolving to meet the diverse needs of our communities.”

“Today, we’ve reached a critical milestone in our department’s rebuilding—MPD is now over 600 officers strong for the first time since 2023,” said Chief O’Hara. “This is a clear sign that our focused recruitment efforts are working, and that our commitment to rebuilding a stronger police department is paying off.”

Chief O’Hara credited MPD's Recruitment Unit and the City's Human Resources staff for their dedication and praised the new recruits for stepping up to serve during a pivotal time.

“We’ve doubled down on our recruitment strategy—refining our process, engaging more communities, and elevating our standards. The result is a growing team of public servants who are ready to help lead this department forward,” O’Hara said.

The milestone is the latest indicator of progress in MPD’s broader transformation, which includes enhanced training, improved accountability systems, and a renewed focus on community trust and partnership.

Mayor Frey, Commissioner Barnette, and Chief O’Hara encouraged those interested in joining the Minneapolis Police Department to learn more and apply by visiting the City’s website.