Ready to be Chief | Video

Retha Colclasure | 1/18/2013

The newest leader of the Bismarck Police Department is ready to take over the chief`s job this weekend. But when Dan Donlin started as a new officer with the Bismarck Police in 1988, he says he never could have imagined being the department`s leader. He`s worn many hats with the department through the years: working in detectives, on patrol, serving on the SWAT team, and leading the department`s police youth bureau.

He says he originally got into law enforcement to pursue a fun and exciting career that several of his family members were also in. But as time went on, he says he found a different reason for his calling. “The main reason now looking back was to do what I can do to help bring justice to people who have been victimized by things. To stand up for people that many times can`t stand up for themselves.”

Donlin takes over for Fred Wooten, who has served as the interim chief of the department since Keith Witt retired last year.

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