MOORHEAD — The Moorhead Police Department rounded out its leadership team by promoting a lieutenant to captain.

During the Moorhead City Council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 14, council members recognized newly promoted Capt. John Laddie Bata. The Moorhead Police Department has not had a captain since March.

Bata joins Chief Chris Helmick, who started in April, and Assistant Chief Bill Ahlfeldt, who joined the department in August.

Bata began working at the Moorhead Police Department in 2015 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2023. During his law enforcement career, he has served as a field training officer, crime scene technician, firearms and defensive tactics instructor, narcotics detective, SWAT operator, patrol sergeant and patrol lieutenant.

A captain, Bata will oversee the newly

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