At approximately 9:04 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, West Fargo Police Department officers were dispatched to a report of reckless driving in the area of 19th Avenue E. and Beaton Drive. While en route to the call officers received further information that the vehicle was stuck in a snow bank. 

When officers arrived on scene they identified the driver of the vehicle as Ryan Denis, who currently serves as a Patrol Sergeant with the West Fargo Police Department. The North Dakota Highway Patrol was called to the scene to further investigate, as it is the West Fargo Police Department’s protocol to use an outside agency to investigate matters involving department staff. Denis was subsequently arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence.

Sergeant Denis has been employed with the department since April 2007, and was promoted to the position of Sergeant in January 2018. The North Dakota Highway Patrol will continue to conduct the criminal investigation. Per department protocol, the West Fargo Police Department will also be conducting an internal investigation. Sergeant Denis has been reassigned to desk duty while both investigations are ongoing. Because this is a personnel matter, the West Fargo Police Department will not be providing further comment on this matter.