Fargo Commissioner Calls for Interim Police Chief to Be Made Permanent

Turnberg says current constraints are 'counterproductive' to the department's needs.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 4:07am

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A serene oil painting depicting a solitary police car parked on a shadowy urban street, the vehicle's lights casting a warm glow against the surrounding darkness, conceptually representing the search for stable leadership within the Fargo Police Department.Fargo's search for a permanent police chief highlights the need for stable, empowered leadership to enact reforms within the department.Fargo Today

Fargo City Commissioner Michelle Turnberg is urging her fellow commissioners to appoint the interim Fargo Police Department chief, Travis Stefonowicz, to the permanent role. Turnberg argues that the 'current constraints' are hindering Stefonowicz's ability to lead and implement necessary changes to improve the department's fiscal responsibility and operational efficiency.

Why it matters

The Fargo Police Department has been without a permanent chief since the previous leader stepped down. Turnberg's push to make the interim chief permanent comes as the department faces budget planning and other critical decisions that would benefit from consistent leadership.

The details

Stefonowicz was appointed interim chief at the commission's most recent meeting. In a letter to fellow commissioners, Turnberg said the current timeline and constraints are 'counterproductive' and preventing Stefonowicz from enacting the changes the department requires. She argued the commission should provide the interim chief the 'necessary latitude' to lead effectively.

  • Stefonowicz was appointed interim Fargo Police Department chief at the commission's most recent meeting.
  • The commission will consider Turnberg's request to make Stefonowicz the permanent chief at its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday night.

The players

Michelle Turnberg

A Fargo City Commissioner who is calling for the interim police chief to be appointed as the permanent leader.

Travis Stefonowicz

The interim Fargo Police Department chief who Turnberg wants the commission to appoint as the permanent chief.

Fargo City Commission

The governing body that will consider Turnberg's request to make the interim police chief the permanent leader.

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What they’re saying

“We should provide the Chief the necessary latitude to implement essential changes that will improve fiscal responsibility and operational efficiency. Under the current timeline, the interim Chief's ability to lead is hindered; he is tasked with composing next year's budget and preparing for the most critical interview of his career, all while being unable to enact the very changes the department requires.”

— Michelle Turnberg, Fargo City Commissioner

What’s next

The Fargo City Commission will consider Turnberg's request to appoint the interim police chief as the permanent leader at its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday night.

The takeaway

Turnberg's push to make the interim Fargo police chief the permanent leader reflects the need for consistent leadership as the department faces critical decisions around budgeting and operational changes. Her argument that the 'current constraints' are hindering the interim chief's ability to enact necessary reforms underscores the importance of providing the department with a clear, empowered leader.