Correction: Flag Family News initially published a headline stating “Fargo’s Deputy Mayor says she supports Chief David Zibolski’ which was inaccurate
We apologize for misquoting statements made by the Deputy Mayor during an interview on The Flag and have republished a revised version below
FARGO, ND – Fargo’s deputy mayor is weighing in on the controversy surrounding the fallout from last weekend’s shootings in terms of how the city disseminated information to the public.
There are also questions about whether or not Police Chief David Zibolski should continue holding the department’s top post.
Zibolski has been under fire in recent days for his lack of having a press conference in the hours following two shootings that resulted in the deaths of Fargo residents.
Zibolski, who was out of town over the weekend, was asked by Mayor Dr. Tim Mahoney about holding a press conference on Sunday, but didn’t hold one – instead issuing a written statement several hours after the incident before holding a press conference Monday afternoon.
Mahoney says he now plans to meet privately this week with Zibolski to discuss “a variety of issues.”
During an interview on The Flag’s The Steve Hallstrom Show, Deputy Mayor Denise Kolpack indicated Zibolski deserves a chance to have that kind of conversation based on his history working for the city.
“He’s [Zibolski’s] always answered my questions, answered every email,” Deputy Mayor Denise Kolpack told The Flag’s Steve Hallstrom Show.
“He’s been very thoughtful. I’ve been impressed with his strategic planning capabilities. He certainly has modernized the department with technology.”
But Kolpack says she will also accept whatever recommendations are made about the chief’s future.
“Having the ability to show empathy and understand that part and connect with community at a time of crisis is of the utmost importance,” Kolpack said. “I think the chief could have done a better job of that. And I’ve seen him do that before.”
Kolpack referenced to the shooting death of Jake Wallin and Zibolski’s ‘empathetically great job’ during those events.
“So I know the capacities there,” she said. “So, in hindsight, the press conference could have gone much better.”
Moving forward
Kolpack says conversations are now needed to discuss corrective actions ‘so that kind of an exchange doesn’t happen again,’ referring to the Monday press conference.
“if behaviors need to change here for him to be an effective chief in our community, then there has to be that commitment on his part to make those changes,” Kolpack said.
She says she’s seen the commitment that Zibolski has not only for the community, but for the policing profession.
“He’s also very active in policy, in changing legislation, in working with our state, in working with our region, in working with our community collaborating partners,” Kolpack said.
