City Of Fargo: Seven Community Members Recommended To Serve On Fargo Police Advisory And Oversight Board

Press release from the City of Fargo:

03/03/2022

At its March 7 meeting, the City Commission will consider the recommendation of seven community members to serve on the inaugural Fargo Police Advisory and Oversight Board.

“The Fargo Police Advisory and Oversight Board will create a new dialogue between the community and the police department. Not only will the board foster new partnerships, it will also further enhance existing relationships. Members of the board will be integral in providing a community perspective to policies and programs of the department. This is an important milestone in the execution of the vision of Fargo PD – to foster a safe and unified community built on trust, accountability and inclusion,” remarked Chief David Zibolski.

“Selected from a pool of 43 applicants, the seven recommended members of the Fargo Police Advisory and Oversight Board constitute diverse backgrounds, cultures and experiences to accurately represent the breadth of diversity within the community. The board will offer tremendous insight, advice and ideas to our police department. It will also be vital in bolstering our on-going recruitment efforts for law enforcement personnel,” said Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director Dr. Terry Hogan.

Recommendations for Fargo Police Advisory and Oversight Board Members:

• Dr. Tonya Greywind – An educator, foster parent and member of a Native American family, Greywind earned a doctoral degree in educational leadership and currently works for the North Dakota Center for Distance Education as its assistant state director. As a lifelong Fargo resident, Greywind looks forward to contributing to her community’s future successes through the work on this board.
• David Hogenson – A business leader, collaborator and avid volunteer, Hogenson organized and continues to foster collaborations with formerly-incarcerated individuals to establish a support network. He seeks to understand the challenges faced by law enforcement, opportunities for continuous improvement and supporting a culture of success for all.
• Dr. Joanna Johnson – A psychiatric nurse practitioner who provides mental healthcare in the outpatient and residential care settings, Johnson has served in various healthcare capacities including service to institutions such as NDSU, Sanford Health, Luther Hall and the Madison Veterans Affairs. She is looking forward to building a positive connection and rapport with members of the community and law enforcement to create new synergies and collaborations.
• Lucrachia King – As a former New York Police Department and federal parks employee, King volunteered for community-based programs in New York City. The wife of a military veteran and the mother of two students enrolled in the Fargo Public School system and a currently-enlisted military son, she will strive to represent all viewpoints and opinions in this important role.
• Scott Paul – A retired U.S. Air Force veteran, Paul dedicated his adult life to serving others. With advanced degrees in public administration and political science, he brings a collaborative approach to consensus building. With a member of Paul’s family having served in law enforcement, he seeks to improve communication and understanding among residents and police.
• Todd Spellerberg – A longtime educator in the Fargo Public Schools system, Spellerberg teaches science and math to middle school students. He enjoys working with people of all ages, cultures and social backgrounds to find practical solutions to challenges.
• Conrad Thomas – A design engineer and former NDSU lead research engineer, Thomas is a faith leader with a passion to understand and bridge differences. He received the 2022 Martin Luther King Radical Change Award and seeks to learn, listen and provide input into police operations. He looks forward to making a difference and adding a voice to those who feel under-represented.

The recommendations were the collective work of the chairpersons of the Fargo Human Rights Commission and Native American Commission, along with City Administration, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Fargo Police Department.

Members of the board will serve a term of four years. In order to establish staggered terms, initial appointments will include four (4) members for a four-year term and three (3) members for a three-year term. Thereafter, all members shall be appointed for a four-year term. No member will serve more than three terms (or 12 years) whether or not consecutive.

This press release was produced by the City of Fargo. The views expressed here are the author’s own.