New police chief on campus at Bismarck State College
Published: Jan 13 2025
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With decades of leadership and community-focused law enforcement experience, Michael Frye has recently been hired as chief of police for the Bismarck State College (BSC) Campus Police Department. Known simply as “Chief” by students and employees, Frye is just beginning his second semester on campus.
Frye’s background in law enforcement and dedication to building trust and promoting mental health awareness position him as a valuable leader for the college community.
Before BSC, Frye served in the Minneapolis Police Department for three decades. He held numerous leadership roles during his tenure, including lieutenant of the Implementation Unit, precinct lieutenant and watch commander for the City of Minneapolis, logistics section chief for civil unrest and mass casualty events, and homeless encampment coordinator. His diverse experience also includes serving on the SWAT team, mounted patrol, and Homeland Security unit, as well as conducting criminal investigations into animal crimes, voter fraud and financial crimes.
In addition to his time in Minneapolis, Frye spent two years with the San Carlos Police Department in California, where he was promoted to patrol sergeant and served on the retention and recruitment team.
Frye earned his associate degree in law enforcement from Normandale Community College, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Concordia University, St. Paul, Minn., and a master’s degree in leadership with an emphasis in homeland security and emergency management from Grand Canyon University.
A cornerstone of Frye’s career has been his dedication to fostering positive police interactions and prioritizing servanthood in every community he serves. He is also a vocal advocate for reducing the stigma around mental health, emphasizing the importance of open discussions about mental health struggles in the same way as stressing physical health.
“Chief’s extensive law enforcement background and his relational approach to leadership make him an excellent fit for BSC,” said Kaylyn Bondy, BSC Vice President for Student Affairs. “His commitment to building trust and addressing critical issues like mental health ensures that our students, faculty, and staff have the support and safety they need to thrive.”
The BSC Campus Police Department provides a safe and secure environment for the thousands of students, faculty, staff, and visitors who live, work, and study at BSC. The department’s mission centers on protecting lives and property while fostering community partnerships and applying innovative policing practices tailored to the college environment.
In addition to Chief Frye, the BSC Campus Police Department employs three full-time law enforcement officers and six part-time campus security officers (CSOs), working collaboratively to uphold safety and security across campus. The CSO positions are filled by BSC student employees interested in gaining hands-on experience in a professional security and law enforcement environment.