West Fargo hires new Chief of Police 

The City of West Fargo has hired a new Police Chief. In a meeting on Monday the city commission unanimously agreed to hire from within and promote Assistant Police Chief Pete Neilson. The West Fargo Police Department did not advertise the position to outside candidates. 

Neilson will take the position that has been held by Denis Otterness who is retiring from law enforcement after spending three years at the West Fargo Police Department. Neilson was heavily supported by his co-workers at the West Fargo Police Department as 21 officers in the department supported him in a survey given out by West Fargo Human Resources. 

Neilson has been a great asset to the West Fargo Police Department as he was the officer who kick started and grew their K9 program and also started programs like the West Fargo Volunteer Police Officer Program and the Neighborhood Watch Program. 

Neilson’s first day as chief will be Friday, October 6.