Fargo City Commissioner ‘extremely disappointed’ in release of police chief’s retirement announcement

FARGO (KVRR) – A Fargo city commissioner doesn’t like how city leaders handled the release of information surrounding the retirement of Police Chief Dave Zibolski.

“City Hall must do better. I am extremely disappointed in how this news reached the public and the City Commission,” Commissioner Denise Kolpack wrote in a social media post.

“City Administration should have communicated this to the full City Commission yesterday afternoon and issued a press release as soon as the Chief shared the news with officers during the first shift briefing yesterday evening.”

“Transparency matters. When communication breaks down at City Hall, it creates uncertainty — for our officers, for city employees and for the community we serve.”

Kolpack said that as the daughter of a retired police chief, she understands the “weight of the badge” and the sacrifices that come with it.

“That perspective shapes how seriously I take decisions that affect morale within the department. Let me be clear: the Fargo Police Department remains filled with highly-capable professionals committed to protecting this community.

Kolpack thanked Zibolski for his service to Fargo. She said during his time as chief, Zibolski led the department through “incredibly challenging times” and made the FDP into “one of the most forward-thinking departments in the Upper Midwest.”

Kolpack’s entire statement is below.

“Today’s official announcement that Chief Dave Zibolski will retire from the Fargo Police Department at the end of the month marks an important transition for our community and beyond.

First, I want to thank Chief Zibolski for his service to Fargo. During his time as chief, he led the department through incredibly challenging times, grew the number of sworn officers and integrated several important pieces of technology to advance FPD into one of the most forward-thinking departments in the Upper Midwest. He worked alongside the dedicated men and women of the Fargo Police Department to keep our community safe. And, while we did not always agree on the level of transparency and community engagement needed in Fargo, I have deep respect for the Chief’s service to our community. Public safety leadership is never easy, and our officers and their families carry an enormous responsibility on behalf of our residents every single day.

That said, I am extremely disappointed in how this news reached the public and the City Commission. City Administration should have communicated this to the full City Commission yesterday afternoon and issued a press release as soon as the Chief shared the news with officers during the first shift briefing yesterday evening. Transparency matters. When communication breaks down at City Hall, it creates uncertainty — for our officers, for city employees and for the community we serve.

Fargo deserves better than learning about major leadership changes through rumors and leaks. In the absence of clear leadership and communication, doubt and suspicion fill the void — and that helps no one.

Unfortunately, we are already seeing this situation used for political purposes; that kind of rhetoric does not serve our officers or our community. Public safety should never be reduced to campaign talking points.

What matters now is stability and professionalism within the department. I have full confidence in Fargo Police Assistant Chief Travis Stefonowicz and the other members of the FPD Executive Team to lead the department in the interim, and I strongly support allowing that leadership team to guide FPD through this transition until after the June 2026 election. Doing so will allow the city to conduct a thoughtful, thorough search for Fargo’s next chief without unnecessary political pressure.

As the daughter of a retired police chief, this moment is personal to me. I understand the weight of the badge and the sacrifices that come with it — not only for officers, but for their families as well. That perspective shapes how seriously I take decisions that affect morale within the department. Let me be clear: the Fargo Police Department remains filled with highly-capable professionals committed to protecting this community.

But City Hall must do better. Moments like this require strong communication, transparency and respect for the people who serve our city. Our officers, our residents and all of Team Fargo deserve nothing less.”