Sioux Empire Welcomes Twenty Newly Trained Law Enforcement Officers To Community This Week

The Sioux Falls Police Department does an outstanding job of protecting and serving the citizens of Sioux Falls and the surrounding area. You already know this if you've ever had to call a member of the law enforcement community for assistance.

Here's some good news: Sioux Falls finest are about to get some more reinforcements.

Twenty new law enforcement recruits will graduate Thursday, September 3, from the Regional Law Enforcement Training program in Sioux Falls. That's 20 newly trained officers ready to begin their careers protecting communities across the Sioux Empire and surrounding areas.

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According to Dakota News Now, the recruits have spent the past 13 weeks completing 520 hours of training. And we're not talking about sitting in a classroom all day listening to someone read from a textbook. Their training has covered everything from South Dakota law and criminal investigations to arrest control tactics, firearms training, and vehicle handling. Pretty much everything there is to know about becoming a trained law enforcement officer in today's crazy world.

The Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy got its start in 2020 and has become a successful partnership involving the South Dakota Attorney General's Office, the Sioux Falls Police Department, and law enforcement agencies from around the state.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley told Dakota News Now that one of the biggest benefits of the regional academy is that recruits can receive their training closer to home while preparing for the very important job of protecting South Dakota communities.

This particular graduating class will have plenty of local impact.

Fourteen of the 20 recruits will be joining the Sioux Falls Police Department. The remaining recruits will head to the Lincoln, Minnehaha, and McCook County Sheriff's Offices.

The graduation ceremony is scheduled for 5:00 PM Thursday at the Sioux Falls Orpheum Theater Center, 315 N. Phillips Avenue.

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It's always worth taking a moment to recognize the people who choose a career in law enforcement. It's a demanding job that comes with plenty of challenges, long hours, and situations most of us would never, ever be able to navigate.

So, I'd like to congratulate all 20 graduates! Stay safe, good luck, and here's hoping your first few months on the job involve significantly more paperwork than high-speed chases.

Thanks for stepping up and helping keep the men, women, and children of Sioux Falls and the Sioux Empire safe!