FARGO, N.D. – A review of former Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski’s personnel file shows the highs and lows of his five-year tenure at the helm of the Fargo Police Department.
The chief retired last Friday after leading the department since his hiring in August 2020. Flag Family News requested documents from his personnel file relating to performance reviews, letters of reprimand and letters of achievement for his tenure as an employee of the City of Fargo, North Dakota.
In his first annual review at the department, Zibolski was praised for his work to improve Fargo Police Department policies ‘in the area of officer safety.’
“A specific example of this commitment to safe practice is evidenced in the successful early deployment of the Axon body-worn camera system,” the review, conducted by then-Assistant City Administrator Michael Redlinger, said.
In 2021, the chief received a letter from then-Superintendent of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, Col. Brandon Solberg, regarding a briefing with then-Governor Doug Burgum and his team ‘to discuss crime trends in North Dakota.’
“You and Sgt. Matt Christensen provided impactful information including overdose and related death data for Fargo,” Solberg said. “Also, you pointed out the disparity between penalties in North Dakota and Minnesota.”
In 2022, Zibolski was tasked with responding to a Performance Action Plan, established by the city ‘to establish a framework to improve deficient operating conditions at the Fargo Police Department.’
“The Plan will create a strategic, measurable and actionable outline for Police Chief David Zibolski and the Police Department Executive Leadership Team to improve the leadership and direction of the Fargo Police Department,” the plan read.
More than a month later, Zibolski submitted his 24-page response to the goals of the plan to Redlinger. One of the topics discussed in the response was a Performance Improvement Plan for himself.
“I invite city administration to attend our executive staff meetings, shadow me and participate in ride along activities, etc., in order to better understand the comprehensive and dynamic environment that is the police department,” Zibolski said. “It is not unexpected that elected officials are unfamiliar with the idiosyncrasies, knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to effectively lead such an organization.”
In August 2025, Zibolski was issued written discipline by Redlinger, who now serves as the City Administrator. It was regarding his actions in an August 2025 press conference.
“You became discourteous and terse with members of the media when responding to questions about an August 3, 2025, critical incident that occurred in Fargo,” Redlinger wrote. “Your responses were perceived as dismissive and unbecoming of the Office of the Chief and the Police Department.”
Redlinger reiterated the expectations of Zibolski.
“It is expected that future interactions with members of the public, including the media, will be conducted in a courteous and professional manner,” he wrote. The letter ended by stating any further violations of policies will subject Zibolski ‘to further disciplinary action up to, and including, termination of employment.’
His August interactions led to a second 90-day Performance Improvement Plan.
