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Minot council appoints Michael Fry as police chief; captain post upgraded to deputy chief
Summary
The Minot City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Michael Fry as police chief and authorized converting a captain position to deputy chief, following a close recruitment that left council and community leaders split between two finalists.
Mayor Janser and the Minot City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Michael Fry as the city's police chief and authorized an upgrade of an existing captain position to deputy chief.
City Manager Harold Stewart recommended Fry after a multi-month recruitment. Stewart told the council the decision came down to a close comparison between the external candidate and an internal finalist, Captain Plasus, and that Fry's personality and focus on community healing factored into his recommendation.
The council voted on a motion to approve both actions: the appointment of Michael Fry as police chief and direction to staff to upgrade a captain position to deputy chief. Alderman Pittner moved the actions; the motion received a second and passed unanimously.
Stewart said he had reviewed candidate interviews, feedback and performance data included in the council packet and that the two finalists had performed strongly throughout the process. "It kind of came down to personality and attitude of positivity, someone that's going to help our department heal and and connect with our community," Stewart said in his recommendation.
Council members who served on the interview panel or participated in public forums praised both finalists. Alderman Samuelson and other council members highlighted Captain Plasus's performance as acting chief and supported creating a deputy chief post to retain his leadership in the department. "While number 1 is certainly important in our recommended actions to get a new chief in place, number 2 may be as important or more important, which is to put a deputy chief in place to recognize what our acting chief has done," Alderman Samuelson said.
Alderman Pittner, who moved the motion, said he served on the selection committee and called the process rigorous. Alderman Olsen, who attended a community forum with the finalists, said she expected Fry to be welcomed and supported and stressed the importance of maintaining departmental momentum.
The unanimous vote closed the appointment and the staffing change; council members did not attach conditions to the approvals. The city manager noted the packet contained supporting data and feedback from the selection process.
Council and staff said they expect to complete administrative steps to make the appointment and position change effective in coming weeks.
