Police chief investigation concludes

Minot Police Chief John Klug speaks at a news conference in 2022.

Minot’s police chief remained on administrative leave at the end of 2024 as the Minot City Council awaited a recommendation based on an investigation into work environment and staff issues in the Minot Police Department.

Police Chief John Klug was placed on temporary, paid administrative leave Sept. 12. City Manager Harold Stewart said on Dec. 19 that he expects to bring a recommendation to the council in January.

In a background provided to the mayor and council members in September, it was reported the city manager and city attorney met with council members Rob Fuller and Scott Samuelson on Aug. 26 to discuss complaints the two council members received regarding management of the police department. As an internal investigation began, Fuller received additional complaints from present and former Minot police officers and employees of Minot Central Dispatch.

The Minot City Council approved budget amendments totalling $100,000 to hire Yvette Heintzelman of the Clark Hill firm in Chicago to conduct an outside investigation.

The investigation that concluded in November found no hostile work environment, inconsistent discipline or retaliation but indicated improvements are needed in the department.

“There are issues to address and improvements to be made to improve leadership in the Police Department such as timely decision-making,” the report stated.

The investigation also looked into allegations of staff confidence in leadership, staff retention and staff morale.

The report was critical of Klug for failing to follow through on his duties in certain areas, including communicating with the department, communicating with the city manager, completing one-on-one meetings, resolving the uniform/beard issue, issuing 2023 performance evaluations, and establishing and maintaining relationships with patrol, especially members of the midnight shift.

“This investigation cannot conclude that there is a failure of leadership as Chief Klug can perform his job duties as set forth in his Job Description and City Ordinance. However, if Chief Klug cannot or will change his leadership style to address these issues, the Department will continue to have these issues with leadership and morale,” the report stated. “The Chief’s perspective negatively affects morale. Further, he cannot expect members of the Department to fulfill their job responsibilities if he does not fulfill his job duties or promises to the Department members.”

The report also recommended Klug address the morale issue in Central Dispatch with the dispatch director in a more decisive manner.

The investigator made 28 separate recommendations relating to handling personnel issues, creating a recruitment committee, utilizing communications systems and allowing employee autonomy in areas of expertise. She also suggested addressing “the rumors, gossip and misinformation that are contributing to the deterioration of the morale in the department via a counseling notice and progressive discipline if necessary.”

Klug has been with the Minot Police Department for nearly 30 years and has been chief since Feb. 1, 2020.