MINOT, N.D. (KFGO) – The Minot City Council decided not to hire former West Fargo Police Chief Denis Otterness as interim police chief.
Chief John Klug resigned last month. He was on on administrative leave after accusations of creating a hostile work environment and sexual harassment.
Capt. Dale Plessas has been interim chief since then, but city manager Harold Stewart recommended Otterness.
“I believe that we need someone that comes in with no historical knowledge and connections – no emotional connections, no relationship connections, (but) has the knowledge, skills, and experience to lead this department forward to where they need to go,” Stewart says.
Council vice president Lisa Olson believes Otterness would be the right choice, but says that now isn’t the time to bring someone in from outside the department.
“They’ve gone through an investigation and a report that gave out some kind of embarrassing information that some probably did not want to have made public. They’ve had an officer-involved shooting. They’ve had two deaths,” Olson says. “I feel they have gone through a lot. Allowing Capt. Plessas to remain on for the next few months until we could find the permanent chief would be the best for the morale and healing of the police department.”
The council voted 5-2 to keep Plessas in place while the city searches for a new chief.
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