Fargo Mayor And Police Chief Share Their Thoughts Following Day Long Discussions With Local Media

Press release from the City of Fargo:

June 17, 2020

Fargo Mayor Dr. Tim Mahoney and Police Chief David Todd would like to thank members of the local media for taking the time to engage in a full day of open dialogue regarding recent community events. Throughout the day, several common themes were discussed that the Mayor and the Chief would like to share with the Fargo metro.

INTERNAL INVESTIGATION INTO FORMER DEPUTY CHIEF (D.C.) OSMUNDSON: The Fargo Police Department (FPD)’s Professional Standards Office has completed its investigation into the conduct of former D.C. Osmundson’s actions during the May 30 riot. The report concluded no other member of the department was aware Osmundson was acting in an undercover capacity, Osmundson was not authorized to act in the capacity in which he did and his actions created significant risk to himself and potential risk to other officers. This report was sent directly to the Mayor, City Administrators and the City’s Human Resources Director without oversight or review from Chief Todd. In releasing the 23-page report to the public, Mayor Mahoney and Chief Todd encourage community members to review the findings of the evening’s events. This report can be found here.

ON-GOING DIALOGUE: On June 3, Metro leaders and Chief Todd met with the self-identified organizers of the May 30 march to engage in meaningful and productive discussions. By all accounts, this meeting was a success and concluded in an informal agreement to continue weekly dialogue between all parties. On June 5, the City of Fargo and FPD assisted in the logistics and security of the OneFargo celebration. This event, held in Island Park, was a successful and unifying community event. The next in-person meeting between City leaders and OneFargo was on June 8 and demanded by OneFargo. This included one member of OneFargo and two members of Black Lives Matter Fargo/Moorhead (BLMF/M). The meeting began with a OneFargo representative reading the Mayor and Chief their Miranda warnings. The meeting consisted of hostility and demands from the onset. When Chief Todd attempted to answer questions, he was frequently interrupted, talked over and dismissed. The Mayor’s office attempted on several occasions to reach out to OneFargo via phone - at least five times. None of those calls were answered or returned. However, the City remains open to engaging in dialogue. Nothing is irreparable and it remains our sincere hope that real and substantive dialogue can occur. We are encouraged that, on June 16, members of the FPD met with OneFargo and BLMF/M regarding logistics of this weekend’s upcoming events. The City and FPD remain fully committed to facilitating further dialogue with all parties who have a true desire to work collaboratively to address racial inequities in the metro community.

EMAILS: In an email sent to regional law enforcement officials who supported FPD operations on May 30, Chief Todd used the terms “thugs” and “domestic terrorists.” Chief Todd clarified that two separate groups were involved in the events of that day: one group of peaceful protestors exercising their first amendment rights (which he fully supports) and a second group which consisted of instigators and opportunists whose objectives were to cause unrest and destruction. The second group is the one he referred to as “thugs” and “domestic terrorists.” To those peaceful protestors who felt harmed by his choice of words, he extends a sincere apology and recognizes his choice of words was not appropriate.

OPEN RECORDS REQUESTS: All open records requests submitted to the City are placed into processing on the day they are received. Processing includes record queries, reviews by legal counsel, etc. This multi-step process is utilized for all records requests at the City of Fargo. Open records requests are completed when one of the following occurs: the data is transmitted to the requester, the requester withdraws the request or the requester is informed there is no data responsive to the request. There is an important distinction between “processing” and “completion.” Allegations of any open records requests not being processed are inaccurate.

DEMANDS: Throughout the process, there has been an emerging pattern of evolving and expanding demands being made by members of OneFargo and BLMF/M in order to further engage in dialogue. The demands do not seem to consider the fact the FPD’s existing policies and programs far exceed the national baseline of policing standards. The community-centric policing strategies used in Fargo are achieving real results but we remain open to continual improvement and modifications to our practices. Additionally, explicit demands to reduce or commute charges were made, despite such powers lying outside of the purview of both the Mayor and the Chief.

RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE: The Mayor and Chief fully respect and encourage citizens’ rights to their first amendment protections; that is unequivocal. The City has processes in place for permitting when a person or group seeks to close roadways for any purpose. Permits are not required to have a march on sidewalks but are required to march/close down streets or intersections. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to control traffic flow without working through the process to map the route, place traffic control barricades, modify traffic signal programming and placing staff in position when necessary, etc. These processes are not used to impede first amendment rights; rather, they are in place to protect every member of a march or parade, as well pedestrians, residents and private property. The requirements for liability insurance are in place to protect the personal liability of the organizers of any event and that is why the City requires it – to protect all parties. City departments stand ready and willing to work with any group submitting a permit application.

MOVING FORWARD: Fargo is a community where all people should feel safe, valued and proud. When people see our police officers, fire fighters and City employees, it is our hope they feel welcome to interact with them. We are here to serve all. We as a community need to come together to build the city we love. Now is the time for community dialogue. The more we can work together to make a better Fargo, we’re all in.

This press release was produced by the City of Fargo. The views expressed here are the author’s own.