Reflecting on a Long Career | Video

Retha Colclasure | 5/25/2012

Today is Bismarck Police Chief Keith Witt`s last day on the job. Before he walked out the door for a final time, he discussed his 31 years in law enforcement.

When Witt started at the Bismarck police department in 1981, he was a uniformed patrol officer.

"When I started at the police department it wasn`t something I was looking at as a long-term career at the time. Originally my plan had been to work here for awhile, then possibly go back to law school or on to something else," he said.

But it turned out that he really enjoyed the career field. As one day turned into another, he changed his mind and worked his way up the ranks.

"I kinda always had interest in ultimately being a chief somewhere in my career in law enforcement."

He reached that goal in 2007, after former chief Deb Ness retired. Now, he says, it`s his time to step down.

"It`s a challenging career so I`m looking forward to the opportunity to do something different. It`s going to be hard to walk out the door Friday and know I don`t have to come back and the phone`s not going to ring over the weekend for something serious happening in Bismarck."

Witt says the last year of his career has been one of the most challenging.

"The flood was a big challenge to me as a chief, but definitely to everybody in the department. And obviously the tragic loss of Sgt. Kenner, was a very tough year. In spite of that I`d already made my decision prior to those. If I hadn`t decided that at that time, I would have given it very serious consideration after last year."

He says he hopes that overall, the Bismarck Police Department is better because of what he did as chief.

Deputy Chief Fred Wooten was named as interim police chief earlier this week. He`ll take over the job until the city hires someone full-time. Witt says he`s comfortable leaving the department in Wooten`s hands.

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