Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski Announces Retirement

Zibolski to step down after 41 years in law enforcement to spend time with family

Mar. 12, 2026 at 5:04pm

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Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski announced his plans to retire on March 27th after a 41-year career in law enforcement. Zibolski thanked the community of Fargo and said it was a privilege to work alongside the men and women of the department. He is retiring to spend more time with his wife, kids, and grandkids.

Why it matters

Zibolski has served as Fargo's police chief since 2018 and has overseen the department during a period of growth and change in the community. His retirement will mark the end of an era and the start of a new chapter for the Fargo Police Department.

The details

Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney said he received a letter from Zibolski on Tuesday announcing his plans to retire. Zibolski made the announcement to his officers during a shift change meeting later that day.

  • Zibolski's last day as police chief will be March 27, 2026.

The players

Dave Zibolski

The retiring police chief of Fargo, North Dakota, who has served in law enforcement for 41 years.

Tim Mahoney

The mayor of Fargo, North Dakota, who received Zibolski's retirement letter.

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What they’re saying

“It has been a privilege to work alongside the men and women of the Fargo Police Department and to serve this wonderful community.”

— Dave Zibolski, Retiring Police Chief (dakotanewsnetwork.com)

What’s next

The city of Fargo will begin the process of selecting a new police chief to replace Zibolski, who has led the department since 2018.

The takeaway

Chief Zibolski's retirement marks the end of an era for the Fargo Police Department, as he has been a steady and respected leader during a period of growth and change in the community. His departure will provide an opportunity for new leadership and a fresh perspective as the city looks to the future.