By: Bobby Falat
FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – The application period to find Fargo’s next permanent police chief has closed, with the city receiving four applications, three from out-of-state candidates and one from within North Dakota.
Per state law, all applications will remain confidential until finalists are formally designated. A selection committee has been formed to review the applications and recommend which candidates advance to the finalist stage.
Interviews are planned for the week of May 5.
The search comes after former Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski retired March 27. The city commission approved the posting April 14, with the application window closing April 28.
If an internal candidate is selected, the commission could name a new chief as soon as May 11. If the search moves to an external candidate, a decision could come as late as July 6.
Push to Appoint Interim Chief
Before the search began, City Commissioner Michelle Turnberg called on her fellow commissioners on April 13 to appoint interim Police Chief Travis Stefonowicz to the role permanently, a motion that failed.
Investigators, officers and division commanders from the Fargo Police Department spoke out in support of appointing Stefonowicz directly. Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner and West Fargo Police Chief Pete Nielsen also voiced their support through letters to the commission.
What’s Next
The selection committee will review applications and recommend finalists. Once finalists are named, their identities will be made public. Interviews are scheduled for next week.
