West Fargo Police Chief gives multiple department updates regarding staffing levels and drug trafficking

(West Fargo, ND) -- West Fargo Police Chief Denis Otterness joined WDAY Midday to give an update regarding multiple topics within the city.

Chief Otterness says officer numbers are approaching normal levels, saying the department is "near full staff." He adds that newer members of the force are approaching the middle stages of field training and are closing in on their first solo patrols. He says more officers are on the way, with the Police Officer Training Program nearing its end.

"There are some fantastic young folks that are excited about a career in law enforcement that are going to be graduating real soon, "said Otterness, "We hope to maybe attract some of those folks to fill some of those vacancies right now, and some anticipated vacancies as we've requested some additional bodies in the 2023 budget process."

Chief Otterness also discussed the work happening within a Cass-Clay partnership, which aims to address fentanyl and methamphetamine within the metro. Otterness says the Drug Task Force continues to remain a high priority within the region.

"We are trying to tackle things that are very much intertwined, "said Otterness," I think some of the drug addiction and drug use patterns are directly tied and related to people who are experiencing mental health issues and some self medication."

Chief Otterness says West Fargo's Police and Fire departments are equipped with Narcan, a drug used to counteract opioid overdoses, and is used "fairly regularly".