Personnel and complaint files from the West Fargo Police Department are revealing a pattern of misconduct and a toxic workplace culture under the leadership of Chief Mike Reitan, according to documents obtained by KVRR Local News through public records requests.
The files, which include internal affairs investigations, employee complaints, and disciplinary records, detail numerous allegations of excessive force, racial discrimination, retaliation against whistleblowers, and a hostile work environment within the department. Multiple current and former officers have described a climate where misconduct is often ignored or covered up, and those who report violations face professional retaliation.
Patterns of Misconduct and Retaliation
Among the documented cases is an incident in 2023 where an officer used a taser on a restrained individual during a mental health crisis, resulting in hospitalization. Although the use of force was flagged by a supervisor, no disciplinary action was taken against the officer involved. Another file from 2022 details a complaint by a Black officer who alleged he was repeatedly passed over for promotions and subjected to racist remarks by supervisors, including Chief Reitan, who reportedly used a racial slur during a roll call meeting. The officer filed a formal grievance, which was later dismissed without investigation.
Chief Reitan’s Leadership Under Scrutiny
Chief Mike Reitan, who has led the West Fargo Police Department since 2011, is named in multiple complaints as either directly involved in misconduct or failing to address reported violations. Internal emails obtained by KVRR show Reitan discouraging officers from filing formal complaints and suggesting that internal affairs investigations were “bad for morale.” In one 2021 email, Reitan wrote to a captain: “We need to handle this in-house. Let’s not make it bigger than it has to be.”
Reitan has also been accused of fostering a culture of loyalty over accountability. Several officers told KVRR, under condition of anonymity due to fear of retaliation, that speaking up about misconduct often resulted in unfavorable shift changes, denied overtime, or exclusion from specialized units. One former sergeant said he was transferred to night patrol after reporting a colleague for falsifying a police report.
Department Response and Ongoing Concerns
When contacted for comment, the West Fargo Police Department issued a brief statement saying it takes all allegations seriously and follows established procedures for investigating misconduct. The department did not deny the authenticity of the documents but declined to address specific cases, citing personnel privacy laws.
Reitan did not respond to multiple requests for comment from KVRR. The city of West Fargo has not launched an independent review of the department despite repeated calls from community activists and the local NAACP chapter to do so. In April 2026, a group of residents presented a petition with over 1,200 signatures to the West Fargo City Commission requesting an external audit of police practices and increased civilian oversight.
As of April 2026, the personnel and complaint files remain part of an ongoing public records dispute, with the department resisting the release of additional documents related to use-of-force incidents and internal investigations from the past five years. Legal experts note that while North Dakota law allows for public access to many police records, exemptions for ongoing investigations and personnel files are frequently invoked to limit transparency.