David Zibolski
Chief of Police
David Zibolski was appointed Police Chief in Fargo on October 5, 2020, and proudly leads the FPD, a department of 192 sworn and 28 civilian staff, funded by a $27M budget that serves a population of 131,000. Prior to this appointment he served as the Chief of Police in Beloit, Wisconsin, from 2015 until 2020, where he led major organizational change within the department that positively affected leadership and culture, strengthened community relations and saw the integration of progressive technology and best practices making Beloit a safer city.
Chief Zibolski began his law enforcement career with the Milwaukee Police Department where he served for 27 years, working his way up the ranks and retiring at the rank of Captain in 2011, holding a variety of patrol, investigative and specialty unit commands. As Deputy Administrator for Wisconsin DOJ’s Division of Law Enforcement Services, from 2011 until 2015, he had operational responsibility of a statewide division that included training and standards for law enforcement, crime lab operations, crime information data and justice statistics.
Zibolski is a graduate of the Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command (SPSC) #203, Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) session #68 and the FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar (LEEDS) Class #82. He holds a master’s degree in organizational management and leadership from Springfield College. Zibolski is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) serving on the Midsize Agencies Division Executive Committee since 2018 and a member of the IACP Board of Directors since 2019. In 2023, he was appointed General Chair of the Midsize Agencies Division and to the IACP Executive Board. He also serves as the Third Vice President for the Chiefs of Police Association of North Dakota, as well as a member of the Fargo-West Rotary Club and Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Red River Valley, as well as other criminal justice related boards.
Travis Stefonowicz
Assistant Chief
As Assistant Chief, Travis Stefonowicz plays a pivotal role in providing leadership, strategic direction and operational oversight within the FPD. In close collaboration with the Chief of Police, he contributes to the development and implementation of comprehensive strategies to enhance public safety and community engagement. Stefonowicz oversees several critical aspects of FPD operations, including resource allocation, personnel management, training initiatives and the execution of community-oriented policing programs. His dynamic leadership ensures the effective execution of the FPD’s mission while fostering a culture of professionalism, accountability and excellence.
Stefonowicz joined The Fargo Police Department in May 2002 after serving as a Police Officer in Aurora, Colorado and working as a dispatcher at the Red River Regional Dispatch Center. Throughout his tenure, Travis has held various roles in the FPD, including Sergeant, Lieutenant and Assistant Chief as of July 2021. Stefonowicz has spearheaded many initiatives, including wellness programming for all employees and the implementation of the first ever Fargo Police Academy.
Stefonowicz has been actively involved in training and served on the Red River Regional SWAT Team for nine years, contributing as an Operator, Basic Training Instructor and Team Leader. His dedication and expertise have earned him numerous awards, including Fargo Police Officer of the Year, Supervisor of the Year and North Dakota Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Stefonowicz holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy Session #277. In October 2023, North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley appointed Stefonowicz to the North Dakota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board. In 2024, Stefonowicz attended the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) Session #92 and was the first graduate from North Dakota since 1989.
Matthew Christensen
Captain - Neighborhood Services Division
Captain Matt Christensen began his law enforcement career in his hometown when he joined The Fargo Police Department in December 2002. Over the years, he has held various roles, including Patrol Officer, Training Officer, Narcotics Investigator, DEA Task Force Officer, Firearms Instructor, Patrol Sergeant, Narcotics Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant and Special Operations Lieutenant.
Captain Christensen leads the Neighborhood Services Division, which oversees all patrol staff and the Specialized Services Unit. He was an active member of the Red River Valley SWAT Team from 2010 until January 2025, progressing from entry operator to his final role as Team Commander, where he oversaw all SWAT elements. This includes the Tactical Team, Crisis Negotiations Team and the Bomb Squad.
In 2016, Captain Christensen was recognized as The Fargo Police Department Supervisor of the Year. His career is marked by numerous accolades, including a Combat Action Award, Distinguished Service Award and Unit Citations for his contributions during the 2009 flood response and 2016 Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) protests. Captain Christensen has completed various leadership training programs, including the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) Team Leader course, the NTOA SWAT Command course and the International Association of Chiefs of Police Leadership in Police Organizations (LPO) course.
Troy Hannig
Captain - Professional Standards Division
Captain Troy Hannig joined The Fargo Police Department in 2007 and has served in a broad range of operational, investigative and leadership roles. He started in what is now known as the Neighborhood Services Division, where he worked in Patrol until the fall of 2013. During that time, he also served as a Police Training Officer, Crime Scene Investigator, Bike Patrol Officer and Tactical Operator on the Red River Valley SWAT Team, where he served for six years. Hannig also worked as a department instructor, specializing in firearms and defensive tactics and holds instructor certification through the North Dakota POST Board.
In 2013, Hannig was selected as a Detective in the Narcotics Unit and was later assigned to the DEA Task Force, where he served during the height of the opioid epidemic. In that role, he collaborated with federal, state and local partners to dismantle major drug trafficking organizations and respond to the public health crisis driven by opioid abuse.
Promoted to Sergeant in January 2017, Hannig led a Night Shift patrol team for three years before being selected as an Administrative Sergeant. In this position, he managed the department’s Police Training Officer (PTO) Program, the Quartermaster, and the Records Unit. During this time, Hannig also played a key role in developing and launching the Fargo Police Academy, where he served as an instructor across multiple topics.
In November of 2021, Hannig was named an Interim Lieutenant on the Night Shift and he was later promoted in May of 2022. In September of 2022, Hannig was appointed to lead the Training and Development Unit (TDU), overseeing department-wide training, the PTO Program, Fargo Police Academy operations, and Quartermaster services. Hannig has been instrumental in modernizing the department’s training approach, utilizing technology to enhance efficiency, standardize instruction, and improve officer readiness.
Captain Hannig is recognized for his passion for professional development, innovative mindset and ability to build strong, high-performing teams. He is committed to preparing officers for the evolving demands of modern policing while fostering a culture of accountability, service and excellence.
He attended North Dakota State College of Science and Lake Region State College, graduating as Valedictorian of Class 44 of the Peace Officer Training Program in December 2006.
Outside of work, Captain Hannig enjoys spending time with his family, carpentry, motorcycling, hunting, and physical fitness.
