Minot Police Department Investigation Verdict Reached

The Minot City Council made a major decision Monday night regarding the future of Police Chief John Klug following months of scrutiny and debate over his leadership. After hearing the findings and recommendations from City Manager Harold Stewart, the Council voted to approve his recommendations to mutually part ways with Klug.

The decision stemmed from an investigative report commissioned to address allegations of a hostile work environment, inconsistent discipline, and leadership concerns under Klug. The report, while not conclusive in calling for Klug’s removal, showed significant issues with communication, morale, and trust within the department. It also raised concerns about the management of the dispatch center, though recommendations for addressing those issues remained largely vague.

City Manager Stewart’s presentation came to 3 conclusive recommendations:

1. City Management and Klug have mutually agreed he will not return to his position.
2. City of Minot should hire an external interim Police Chief for 6-12 months, followed by a nationwide search for a full time replacement
3. The City will temporarily delegate oversight responsibilities of Central Dispatch to Fire Chief Kelli Kronschnabel, Asst. City Manager Tom Joyce, and a MPD Representative to provide further recommendations on dispatch issues if there are any.

With a decisive outcome like this, the city will be able to move forward and hopefully quash a multitude of issues in the best way possible, with City Manager Harold Stewart saying, "This isn't about putting someone in the seat as quickly as possible, I want to make sure that we put the right person there both in the interim and long term."

The outcome marks a pivotal moment for the Minot Police Department, which has faced heightened scrutiny in recent months. How the City implements Stewarts changes and addresses the concerns raised in the report will likely shape the department’s trajectory for years to come.