Fargo Commissioners Reject Fast-Tracked Police Chief Appointment

Commissioners vote to keep standard hiring process despite support from law enforcement leaders.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 6:53am

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A dimly lit urban street scene with a lone streetlight casting warm, diagonal shadows across the pavement, conceptually representing the thoughtful, measured approach to a critical public sector hiring decision.The deliberative process behind selecting a new police chief reflects the gravity of the decision and the need for thorough vetting, even as some push for faster action.Fargo Today

Fargo City Commissioners voted against a proposal by Commissioner Michelle Turnberg to immediately appoint Travis Stefonowicz as the new Fargo Police Chief at Monday night's meeting. While Turnberg pushed for a fast-tracked process, the other commissioners argued that a thorough search and vetting period is important for such a critical hire.

Why it matters

The selection of a new police chief is a crucial decision for any city, as this role sets the tone and direction for the entire department. Fargo's commissioners wanted to ensure a robust and transparent hiring process, despite pressure from some local law enforcement leaders to expedite the appointment.

The details

Commissioner David Piepkorn said he saw no need to rush the hiring, stating 'It's important to give an opportunity and not to rush this. This does not need to be rushed. It's a very important hire.' The commissioners did agree to a slightly accelerated timeline, with the position closing on April 28, interviews on May 5-6, and a potential commission vote on May 11.

  • The Fargo Police Chief position closes on April 28, 2026.
  • Interviews for the position are scheduled for May 5-6, 2026.
  • The Fargo City Commission may vote on a candidate as soon as May 11, 2026.

The players

Michelle Turnberg

A Fargo City Commissioner who advocated for a fast-tracked appointment of Travis Stefonowicz as the new Fargo Police Chief.

David Piepkorn

A Fargo City Commissioner who argued against rushing the hiring process, stating a thorough search is important for such a critical role.

Travis Stefonowicz

The individual Commissioner Turnberg wanted to appoint as the new Fargo Police Chief.

Daniel Haugen

The Superintendent of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, who spoke in support of Stefonowicz's qualifications.

Jill Minette

The City of Fargo's Human Resources Director, who explained the typical hiring process for department head positions.

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What they’re saying

“'It's important to give an opportunity and not to rush this. This does not need to be rushed. It's a very important hire.'”

— David Piepkorn, Fargo City Commissioner

“'I've worked closely with Chief Stefonowicz for many years. Our relationship has been built on trust, collaboration and the shared commitment to public safety.'”

— Daniel Haugen, North Dakota Highway Patrol Superintendent

What’s next

The Fargo City Commission will interview candidates for the police chief position on May 5-6 and may vote on a final selection as soon as May 11.

The takeaway

Fargo's city commissioners prioritized a thorough and transparent hiring process for the critical role of police chief, despite pressure to fast-track the appointment. This decision reflects the importance of balancing efficiency with due diligence when making high-profile public sector hires.