The council also voted to create a deputy chief position to offer to acting chief, Capt. Dale Plessas, who along with Edward Orgon Jr., was a finalist for chief.

“I’m looking forward to working with Chief Plessas and everyone and just getting to know folks and starting the process of integrating into the community,” Frye said after the vote. He said he is eager to get the public’s feedback and find out what they want to see in their police department.

“I also want to provide what I call creature comforts to my officers,” he said. “They can’t take care of you if they’re not taken care of.”

Frye added the Minot Police Department already is doing many good things.

“The major piece is ‘what else can we do?’ I strive for excellence. It doesn’t mean that we’re going to always be (excellent). But if we strive for excellence, then we might reach it,” he said.

City Manager Harold Stewart had recommended Frye but noted it was a tough decision.

“This has been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to make because oftentimes what you hope is that a clear candidate rises to the top, and here it was pretty evenly split between Mr. Frye and Mr. Plessas,” he said.

Stewart had advocated for an outside law enforcement officer to come in and lead the department in the interim, although the council chose Plessas.

“I felt strongly that we needed outside leadership at this time for our department and for our organization. However, that being said, Mr. Plessas has performed admirably and well above expectation over the last several months, even to the point that I consider, perhaps, walking that statement back. I think both are qualified to be the police chief of our organization,” Stewart said.

He said he recommended Frye because he still leans toward outside leadership and because of the personality, attitude and positivity that Frye will bring. He also recommended the council create a deputy chief position and appoint Plessas.

“I do believe that the two of these paired together would be a dynamite combination of leadership for moving our community and our organization forward,” he said.

The council voted to create a deputy chief position as part of the motion to hire Frye.

“One of the things I want to tell the public is how pleased I have been throughout with Captain Plessas’ hard work and effort for the department, plus how amazingly well he did in the interview sessions. His command of the subject matter, of what the department needs, was tremendous,” council member Mike Blessum said.

He added hiring a chief is important but just as important is putting a deputy chief in place to take advantage of what Plessas has to offer.

“I believe that both these individuals have a lot to offer this department,” council member Paul Pitner said. “We’d be pleased either way, no matter how this would have ended up.”

Council member Lisa Olson said the police department’s survey responses favoring Plessas in the interview process speaks volumes.

“He was able to take a department in a very, very difficult and challenging time and lead them successfully with compassion, with integrity. Having him now in this deputy chief position, I think, is so vital,” she said.

Plessas has led the department since September 2024, when an investigation began into concerns about department management under the previous chief. He has been with the Minot Police Department for 23 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Minot State University, attended the FBI National Academy and received a graduate certificate from the University of Virginia, and a certificate in leadership and administration from the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Frye retired in 2024 as a lieutenant with the City of Minneapolis Police Department after a long career there. He earned a master’s degree in leadership in homeland security and emergency management at Grand Canyon University, after completing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at Concordia University-St. Paul.

Feedback from the panels and surveys during the interview process favored Plessas and Frye equally, Stewart reported.

However, Stewart said, he looked into concerns from the law enforcement interview panel regarding whether Frye was “more talk than execution.” Frye’s former supervisor at the Minneapolis Police Department spoke highly of Frye as a police officer and a person and advised Frye would be a great asset to Minot. Specifically, the supervisor stated Frye had an outstanding work ethic, was calm under pressure, was well respected by officers and leadership and is not afraid to make changes in the face of resistance, according to Stewart.

Stewart also referenced a news article stating Frye was named in a lawsuit against the city regarding police response at the 2008 Republican Convention. Frye was exonerated but the city was paying $13,000 to anyone who filed a complaint during that time.

Frye will be paid a starting salary of $146,178 as Minot’s police chief and upon completion of a one year probationary period, and in accordance with city policy, the salary will be increased to $153,578.

Costs of the upgrade from captain to deputy chief remain to be determined.