Wooten Retires | Video

Retha Colclasure | 1/18/2013

The current Bismarck police chief, Fred Wooten, is leaving the department after a 29 year long career with the Bismarck police. Wooten started his policing career in 1971 with the Marine Corps. He joined the Bismarck Police in 1984, after working for four years with the Burleigh County Sheriff`s Department.

Wooten assumed the chief`s job on an interim basis after former Chief Keith Witt retired in May. Today was his last day at the department, and his coworkers honored him with a retirement ceremony.

Wooten took the time to thank all of those who have supported him throughout his career. "I think it`s safe to say if I hadn`t had the support I`ve had, hadn`t had the friendships I`ve had, hadn`t had people just really sorta pick up my mess for me sometimes, my career would have been a lot shorter."

Representatives from several other law enforcement agencies also came to congratulate Wooten on his career.

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