City of Fargo allows fired police officer to resign retroactively after appeals

(Fargo, ND) -- It's a victory for former Fargo Police Officer Justin Natchatilo. He says it was a fight to defend his professional reputation. 

"I feel like what needed to be brought to light was brought to light and the truth ultimately prevailed in regard to what happened," said Natchatilo.  

After appealing his termination from the police department with the city civil service commission and the city commission, Natchatilo says the city informed him Monday that he will now be allowed to resign from the department retroactively. The 19 year veteran was fired in December for what Chief Dave Zibolski asserted was performance issues. But Natchatilo says the termination was "political". The military veteran says he suffers from PTSD and says his case is now causing the department to focus more on the issue of officer mental health.