FARGO (KFGO-AM) - Former Fargo Police Chief Keith Ternes withheld information about a recent surge in criminal gang activity from his superiors in city hall.
Interim Police Chief Dave Todd tells KFGO News that police first identified the problem in March, 2014. Todd says he shared the information with city leaders the following January 30, a few weeks after he was appointed to take over the department in the wake of Ternes' resignation.
“If I’m out in front on issues, letting our community know what the police department is doing and why it’s doing it, and at the same time, briefing my leadership, the mayor, the city commissioners; it helps them understand ‘Is the police department in front on this problem? And what are the resources they need to deal with this problem?”
Todd says it would have been inappropriate for anyone else in the police department to inform city leaders about the gang problem unless it was at the direction of Ternes.
City Commissioner Dave Piepkorn, the liaison to the police department, says Ternes should have shared the information earlier. “Absolutely. If I would have found out about it earlier, then I would have encouraged them to take action earlier” Piepkorn said. “It’s very concerning, and obviously, public safety, that’s one of our number one responsibilities.”
Commissioner Mike Williams says he also didn't realize local gang activity had "risen to such a high-degree."
Ternes served more than 8 years as police chief. He stepped down in November amid widespread morale problems in the department. He has not responded to requests for comment.