Grand Forks Police Lieutenant Retired After 28 Years

Lieutenant Derik Zimmel has stepped down from his long-standing post at the Grand Forks Police Department.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Grand Forks Police Lieutenant Retired After 28 Years

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Lieutenant Derik Zimmel has officially retired from the Grand Forks Police Department after a 28-year career. Despite his departure, Zimmel will continue to support the agency as a part-time remote accreditation manager.

Why it matters

Zimmel has been a central figure in local law enforcement, managing critical functions ranging from human resources to sex offender tracking. His shift to a part-time role ensures the department maintains consistency in its accreditation and national compliance efforts.

Lieutenant Derik Zimmel, 56, served a 28-year career starting in May 1998 after graduating from the University of North Dakota in 1995. Lt. Andrew Stein is tasked with assuming the human resources responsibilities formerly held by Zimmel.

The players

Derik Zimmel

He is a veteran law enforcement officer who served the Grand Forks Police Department for 28 years and founded True North Polygraph.

Grand Forks Police Department

This is the primary municipal law enforcement agency serving the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Andrew Stein

He is a lieutenant at the Grand Forks Police Department who will assume the human resources duties previously managed by Derik Zimmel.

The details

During his tenure, Zimmel worked as a field training officer, crisis negotiator, and public information officer while overseeing complex programs like sex offender tracking. He also founded his own polygraph company, True North Polygraph, in 2009 and intends to refocus on that venture following a short break.

Zimmel graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1995.
Zimmel began his career with the department in May 1998.
True North Polygraph was established by Zimmel in 2009.
Zimmel retired from his position on October 3, 2026.

Legal Context

Zimmel's transition to managing accreditation aligns with national law enforcement movements toward standardized agency compliance and oversight. This shift follows a broader trend in municipal policing where experienced officers are retained in administrative roles to ensure adherence to professional benchmarks.

Residents should expect little disruption to police services as experienced leadership shifts into administrative accreditation roles. The department continues to utilize its established rotation system to ensure consistent coverage for the local community.

The takeaway

This transition highlights the importance of retaining institutional knowledge through administrative roles after decades of field service. Readers can observe how specialized skills like negotiation and compliance management remain vital to public safety infrastructure even after retirement.