Bismarck Police Chief Dan Donlin announces his intent to retire from the Bismarck Police Department and has the following message for the Bismarck community:
On August 16, 2018 I will be completing 30 years of service with the Bismarck Police Department. As I am about to reach this milestone in my career I have been contemplating my retirement from this first-rate exceptional police department. So, after thorough contemplation and discussion with my family, I am taking this opportunity to inform you of my intent to retire from the Bismarck Police Department this coming summer/fall.
This is a very difficult decision and it is not made hastily or lightly. I do not have the words to express how grateful and blessed I am to have had the opportunity for the past 30 years to work for the best law enforcement agency in the state of North Dakota, the law enforcement agency that sets the benchmark for professionalism and skillful delivery of police services, and for the wonderful city and community I was blessed to be born and raised in. I have had a great and blessed career and I am astounded and so grateful that you (the community of Bismarck), my co-workers, and the City Commission have entrusted in me the HONOR and the PRIVILEGE of serving as your Police Chief for the past five years and it truly has been an HONOR and a PRIVILEGE to do so.
My 30-year career would not have been possible without the great men and women, past and present, that I have had the HONOR and PRIVILEGE to work beside for the past 30 years; those men and women who make up the “Thin Blue Line!” Nor would it have been possible without the magnificent support the Bismarck community has shown me and the Bismarck Police Department over the years! Anyone who knows me and has called me “chief,” knows my typical response has always been, “My name is Dan; I’m not into titles!” I am humbly aware that no person’s professional achievements are a result of what they alone did in their career; rather, a person’s achievements and successes throughout their career are a result of many, many other individuals’ hard work, unselfish assistance, guidance, mentorship, trust, commitment and investment in each other along the way. And for that, I want to say, “THANK YOU” to everyone who has helped me and has impacted me throughout my career!
While I may be intending to retire from the Bismarck Police Department, I am definitely not “retiring” from work. Although I do not yet know what I will be doing, I will be looking locally for new career opportunities. Having that in mind, the window I am looking at to retire is between June 1, 2018 and September 28, 2018 and I will work with the City on the timeline to ensure a smooth transition. Up until the day I retire, I will continue to do my best for the exceptional men and women who make up the Bismarck Police Department and I will continue to do my best for YOU, the citizens we serve.
Thank you and God bless you!