What is the primary agency responsible for law enforcement in North Dakota?

The North Dakota Highway Patrol serves as the primary agency responsible for law enforcement throughout the state. This agency encompasses a range of functions, including traffic enforcement, accident investigation, and the enforcement of state laws. Their scope extends beyond just highway safety, as they often assist local law enforcement agencies and play a vital role in statewide law enforcement initiatives.

While local city police departments, including those in cities like Fargo, carry out important law enforcement duties within their jurisdictions, they do not have the same statewide authority that the Highway Patrol possesses. The North Dakota Bureau of Investigations focuses on specific areas such as criminal investigations, but it operates under the umbrella of state law enforcement rather than being the primary agency. Therefore, the North Dakota Highway Patrol's comprehensive statewide mandate regarding policing earns it the designation as the primary law enforcement agency in the state.