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Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski is retiring. He has led the Fargo Police Department for more than five years and has been in law enforcement for more than four decades. 

Over the last two years, Zibolski has overseen two consecutive years of declines in serious crime and a 10 percent drop last year alone. The city says he’s helped 

, leveraging cameras and drones for police work. 

At the same time, however, Zibolski drew 

 after a pair of deadly shootings last year. He didn't hold a press conference until 36 hours after the incident. Two city commissioners called on him to resign, and he apologized. 

Still, Mayor Tim Mahoney said Zibolski is leaving the department in a good place. 

"Your team's ready to fly, your eagles have all made it off the ground, and I think we'll continue on that legacy,” he said. “We'll continue to build and continue to make the department better."

Zibolski's last day as chief is March 27, and the city commission is set to name his interim successor by the end of March. 

Zibolski said he thinks Assistant Chief Travis Stefonowicz should fill the role. 

“He's prepared. He's got the skills. I think he's very well supported by the department as well," he said. “The commission has to decide that, but that would certainly be my recommendation.”

Three spots on the Fargo City Commission are up for election in June, including mayor. Mahoney, who is ineligible to run again, said he supports waiting to appoint a permanent chief until the new commission is elected. 

“We'll have two new commissioners, we'll have a new mayor, and (will) allow those people to make those decisions,” he said. 

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Harshawn Ratanpal

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During his tenure, Zibolski brought down crime and helped modernize the department, but he also drew criticism. An interim chief will take over at the end of March.

A police chief speaks at a podium while flanked by men in suits.

Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski announces retirement

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