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Only about half of survey respondents believe all employees are treated equally within the West Fargo Police Department.
Otterness helped expanded his police force, added body cameras, brought comfort dogs to schools and established a fixed beat system.
The hiring decision was made without a full candidate search or formal interviews. City Administrator Dustin Scott said 21 members of the police staff expressed support of Nielsen in a survey.
West Fargo Police Chief Denis Otterness announced his retirement in August, becoming the third consecutive police chief to depart the city after three years.
This is the third West Fargo police chief to depart the city after serving three years.