BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation will receive a boost later this fall with the hiring of nine new agents, most of whom will be stationed in the western part of the state.
Two will be based in Williston, working cases involving Internet crimes against children, according to North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem.
In addition, two temporary staff at the North Dakota State and Local Intelligence Center in Bismarck have been made permanent and one new staff member is to be hired.
Of the nine new agents, the first five are tentatively scheduled to begin work Nov. 16 and the remaining four on Dec. 1.
“They’re badly needed. They (BCI) were very happy with the number of applicants," Stenejhem said of the more than 70 applications received, a sharp increase over the application pools in recent years.
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As salaries have been increased at police departments throughout the state, BCI found itself needing to compete. As a result, the attorney general's office budget allotted more than $1.27 million for salary increases. The dollars amounted to a starting salary increase of about $12,000 annually for new agents and around $9,500 annually for current agents.
Dallas Carlson, director of North Dakota BCI, called the new agents a shot in the arm to support the 43 sworn agents on staff, 39 of which are engaged in investigative work. He said most of the new agents are from local departments across the state.
“We have a lot qualified experience coming on board,” Carlson said. “It’s going to be a great boost for us.”
A total of 74 applicants was invited for testing in late August with 39 interviews being conducted the week of Sept. 14. The job offers are being made pending completion of background checks.
In addition to the two new Williston agents, three will be based in Bismarck, two at a new field office to open in Watford City and one apiece in Dickinson and Jamestown.
The new agents will provide relief to current staff, allowing for more attention to cases of human trafficking and organized crime in western North Dakota, according to Carlson, who described growing concerns in these areas as increased oil production resulted in growing populations.
“We’re going to be able to see a nice balance,” Carlson said.
