Fargo Police Chief announces retirement after serving Fargo for more than five years

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — “I just want to really thank our community for all their support. Their partnership and collaboration. And it was certainly an excellent opportunity to serve as chief here in Fargo. It’s been very much an honor and a privilege,” said Dave Zibolski, Fargo Police Chief.

Zibolski announced his retirement early this week after serving the Fargo community for more than five years. During his time as Police Chief, he has helped establish the department’s Real Time Crime Center and the Traffic Safety Team. With overall crime declining 17% since 2023.

“I think there’s always more to do. We’re continuing to expand our department. That’s a process. But I feel like we really, at least I’ve reached a point where we’ve accomplished everything that can be done at this juncture. And turn it over to new leadership and keep on going from there,” said Zibolski.

Zibolski has also faced challenges within the last year. In August, many in the public and two city commissioners called on Zibolski to step down after the department’s handling of two shootings. Zibolski was out of town during the weekend of the shootings, and a press conference had taken place 36 hours after the incidents. But now, he says the department is in a good place.

“I feel very proud of exactly where we are right now, and I’m looking forward to my next phase. But I do it knowing that I got solid people behind me that are going to pick up the mantle and take the department forward. So, I think we’re in a good place.”

While the announcement has just been publicly made, City Commissioner Denise Kolpack was unhappy about how the way the information was handled.

“It’s a missed opportunity to bring the community along too. In many ways like I said earlier, this is celebratory news. We had five and a half years of a solid police chief who did very good things for the city of Fargo. And because of the gap there in notification to the city commission we were surprised by it, and that was all avoidable,” said Denise Kolpack, City Commissioner.

Kolpack is running as mayor and hopes the city will be able to find someone who can lead as well as Zibolski, and that communication will be done better.

An Interim Police Chief will be appointed on March 30th.