North Dakota Highway Patrol Superintendent Brandon Solberg Photo Credit North Dakota Office Of The Governor
Gov. Doug Burgum announced today that North Dakota Highway Patrol Col. Brandon Solberg will retire from law enforcement on November 30, after serving nearly 6½ years as superintendent of the Highway Patrol. Solberg will assume a new role as director of the Facility Management Division in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) starting December 1.
Solberg, who has been the Highway Patrol superintendent since July 1, 2018, was appointed by Burgum to succeed Col. Michael Gerhart. Solberg’s career with the Highway Patrol began in January 1999, where he initially served as a state trooper stationed in Grafton and Grand Forks. Over the years, he rose through the ranks, being promoted to sergeant and shift supervisor in Fargo, then to lieutenant in 2007, captain in 2011, and major and chief of staff in 2014. In his role as chief of staff, he managed the patrol’s budget and supervised approximately 200 team members.
“North Dakota is a safer place to live and drive because of Col. Solberg’s highly capable leadership and nearly three decades of exemplary service in law enforcement,” Gov. Burgum said. “His unwavering commitment to public safety and willingness to embrace new technology and processes to enhance the effectiveness of the Highway Patrol have served our citizens well. We are deeply grateful for his service and appreciate his help in ensuring a smooth leadership transition in the Highway Patrol as he transitions to his new role with OMB.”
As superintendent, Solberg led several significant initiatives, including the Vision Zero traffic safety initiative launched in 2018, which contributed to a decrease in annual traffic crash fatalities to 98 in 2022, the lowest in 20 years. Other notable accomplishments under Solberg’s leadership include:
- Establishing a dedicated criminal interdiction team focused on intercepting criminal activities such as drug and human trafficking on state highways.
- Signing agreements with the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation and Spirit Lake Nation to improve emergency response times by allowing the closest available officer, whether tribal or non-tribal, to respond to calls for service until the agency with primary jurisdiction arrives.
- Starting an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program to expedite crash scene measurements and assist in search and rescue efforts.
- Launching a crash assistance program focused on victim services and employee wellness.
- Signing the 30×30 pledge, a nationwide initiative aimed at increasing the representation of women in law enforcement recruit classes to 30% by the year 2030.
“It has been an incredible honor and privilege to serve as a member of Gov. Burgum’s cabinet, and I appreciate him entrusting me with leading the highly professional team at the North Dakota Highway Patrol,” Solberg said. “Their commitment to public safety and providing the best law enforcement services possible is a benefit to North Dakota residents and visitors alike, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have served with them. I look forward to joining Facility Management and continuing my service to the citizens of our great state.”
Solberg will succeed current Facility Management Director John Boyle, who is retiring after 22 years in the role. Gov. Burgum expressed his deepest gratitude to Boyle for his long service and assistance in the transition and wished him the best in retirement.
The position of Highway Patrol superintendent will be posted in early fall.
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