Bismarck Police Department Promotes Nine Officers - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Today a ceremony is held to honor nine officers with the Bismarck Police Department, who've recently been promoted.

Many of those who protect our community, are moving up the ladder.

<<Dan Donlin is Bismarck's new Chief of Police.

"It's a calling, this isn't just a job and a career, this is a calling to do what we do for this community," Chief of Police Dan Donlin said.

In his 24 years with the department, Donlin's worn quite a few badges.

"Started out in 1988 as a patrol officer and after patrol I worked into detectives, and worked with detectives for several years, got promoted in 1998 to Sergeant," Donlin said.

Donlin also spent 15 years on the West Dakota Swat Team, during his time on the Swat Team he was involved in a Standoff, which gave him a whole new perspective, of the danger that comes with the job.

"Wish I never had to go through it, but having that experience really allows me to fully understand what officers go through, when they're involved in these types of very critical stress incidents," Donlin said.

With all his experience and dedication to the department, he decided he'd add another badge to his career.

"Seeing the team that was around and the job they do just inspired me to go ahead and put my name in the hat and attempt to become chief and here we are," Donlin said.

Donlin now passes down the duties of Deputy Chief, to Randy Ziegler and David Draovitch.

"It's not something I really thought about when I was starting out, but as we've gone over the years it's been fun to move through and do different things," David Draovitch said.

"That's why we get into this business is to serve the community and the people out there, our citizens are our customers," Randy Ziegler said.>>

Six other officers were recognized at today's ceremony.

Three officers are being promoted to Lieutenant and three to Sergeant.