Minot council keeps Captain Plessis as interim chief, orders national search after contentious debate

The Minot City Council voted 5–2 Monday to keep Captain Plessis as interim police chief and to direct City Manager Harold Merrill to begin a national search for a permanent chief.

Council members said the decision was meant to stabilize department operations while the city conducts a deliberate recruitment process. The motion, moved by Alderman Lisa Olsen and approved with Janser and Mayor Tom Ross dissenting, also carried the council’s direction that the interim chief should generally maintain the status quo rather than implement long-term policy changes.

Supporters of the motion and the city manager said the department has experienced a period of high strain, including an officer-involved shooting, two recent deaths and an internal investigation, and needs experienced, impartial leadership during the transition. “I believe at this time that we need someone that comes in with no historical knowledge and connection … but has the knowledge, the skills, and the experience to lead this department forward,” Merrill said, describing the rationale for considering an outside interim. Merrill argued an outside interim could help identify systemic issues without emotional or historical attachments to current personnel.

Opponents argued the department should be given continuity under existing leadership. Alderman Lisa Olsen said she believed Captain Plessis had performed well in the interim but preferred delaying a permanent appointment until morale and healing advanced. Several council members and residents urged investment in training and internal solutions rather than bringing in an outside interim who might be perceived as an outsider.

During debate, Merrill told the council he expected a national search to take three to six months and warned that meaningful change typically takes 12–18 months after a chief is in place. He also said the department currently has roughly 16–17 vacant sworn positions, and that turnover has persisted despite recent hiring.

In a separate, unanimous vote the council approved covering the transportation costs for Mr. Otterness, a candidate who had traveled to Minot to be present at the meeting.

The council’s action directs the city manager to continue Captain Plessis as interim chief and to proceed with a nationwide recruitment for a permanent appointment. Council members said many operational or personnel policy changes will be deferred until a permanent chief is in place, although the city manager retained discretion to address discrete, case-by-case operational matters that require immediate attention.

What’s next: The city manager will begin the national recruitment process and return to the council with details on timeline and any recommended interim operational changes. The council did not set a firm deadline for concluding the recruitment beyond the multi-month timeline Merrill described.