Fargo Police Department Revises Facial Recognition Policy After Misidentification Case
The Fargo Police Department is updating its facial recognition policy following a case where a Tennessee woman was mistakenly identified as a suspect in a bank fraud scheme. The department’s revised approach comes after scrutiny over the use of artificial intelligence in law enforcement and the potential for misidentification.
Background of the Case
In April and May 2025, the Fargo-Moorhead area was targeted by a bank fraud scheme. Angela Lipps, a 50-year-vintage woman from Elizabethton, Tennessee, was identified as a suspect using facial recognition technology. She was arrested in July 2025 and transported to Fargo in late October, despite maintaining her innocence and fighting extradition. Inforum
Lipps was held in a Tennessee jail until December 5th, when Fargo detectives learned she was in custody. The Cass County jail notifies prosecutors of bookings, but not law enforcement agencies. Evidence presented by Lipps’ attorney, Jay Greenwood, suggested she was in Tennessee during the alleged fraud. Following an interview with Lipps on December 19th, the charges were dismissed days later. Inforum
Lipps was released on Christmas Eve and has since indicated she received limited assistance from Fargo police with travel arrangements, relying on funds from local defense attorneys and a charitable organization for food, lodging and transportation. Inforum
Discrepancies Between Fargo and West Fargo Police Departments
Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski revealed that the West Fargo Police Department had purchased its own facial recognition system, Clearview AI, in 2020, without the knowledge of Fargo’s executive leadership. Zibolski stated that Fargo PD would not have authorized the use of this system and has since prohibited it. Valley News Live
West Fargo Police Chief Pete Nielsen disputed Zibolski’s account, stating that his department did submit the initial photo to the North Dakota State and Local Intelligence Center (NDSLIC), which too identified Lipps as a potential match. Valley News Live Nielsen also noted that West Fargo has used the technology since 2020 and that over 800 law enforcement agencies nationwide utilize it.
The fraud case remains active, with investigators describing it as a “pretty organized criminal enterprise” targeting multiple states. Inforum
Policy Changes and Apology
In response to the errors in the Lipps case, Chief Zibolski issued a temporary directive on March 20, 2026, outlining new limitations on the use of facial recognition technology. The directive restricts its use to the criminal investigation division, requires unit commander review before deployment, and mandates the use of NDSLIC or other “bona fide” state and federal facial recognition entities. Inforum
The Fargo Police Department is also providing additional training to detectives on facial recognition technology through NDSLIC. Inforum
Zibolski acknowledged investigative errors and stated the department is conducting an internal investigation to determine if disciplinary action is necessary, but indicated there was no evidence of malicious intent. KFGO He apologized for any mistrust the investigation may have caused in the community, but stopped short of apologizing directly to Lipps, stating the department has not yet determined if she was not involved in the fraud. MPR News
Potential Legal Action
The Fargo City Commission and Zibolski have met in closed sessions to discuss a potential lawsuit from Lipps. The Fargo Police Department has received letters from her attorneys requesting preservation of evidence, but no civil complaint had been filed as of March 24, 2026. Inforum