Community service officer in West Fargo becomes first to promote to position of sworn police officer

(Fargo, ND) -- A West Fargo Police Officer is the first in the department's history to be promoted to the position from Community Service Officer. 

"I got to meet a lot of other members of the department, and I got very familiar with the department and they got to get familiar with me, and I think that really helped me as I went through my training process and speed things along," said Officer Tyler Todd. 

Tyler Todd served part-time as a CSO while completing his degree at NDSU. Chief Denis Otterness says the goal of the CSO program is to help recruit and retain quality candidates to become sworn officers. Todd comes from a law enforcement family. His father Steve is Police Chief in Detroit Lakes. 

"Once people get into the West Fargo Police Department I think they realize what a great city it is to work for. [It's] very supportive," said Otterness.