BISMARCK – After more than six years as superintendent of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, Col. Brandon Solberg plans to retire from law enforcement on Nov. 30, according to a news release from Gov. Doug Burgum's office.

According to the press release, Solberg has accepted another position in state government as director of the Facilities Management Division in the Office of Management and Budget. Solberg will begin the position on December 1.

Solberg's career with the Highway Patrol began in January 1999. He spent his first six years as a state trooper in Grafton and Grand Forks before being promoted to sergeant and shift supervisor in Fargo, the press release said.

In 2007, he was promoted to lieutenant and transferred to headquarters in Bismarck. In 2011, he was promoted to captain and again to major and chief of staff in 2014. On July 1, 2018, he was appointed Superintendent of the Highway Patrol.

According to the press release, Solberg dedicated his time as superintendent to initiatives to reduce car crashes. The press release states that North Dakota recorded 98 traffic fatalities in 2022, the lowest number in 20 years.

Solberg helped implement the Vision Zero traffic safety initiative in 2018, the press release said. He also established a crime prevention team that focuses on preventing criminal activity on state highways.

Solberg succeeds John Boyle, who served as Head of Facilities Management for 22 years. In the press release, Burgum thanked Boyle for his many years of service in this role.

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