PIERRE, S.D. – Attorney General Mark Vargo has announced that 39 students completed the Basic Law Enforcement Certification Course at the George S. Mickelson Criminal Justice Center in Pierre, S.D. The students completed a 13-week training program to earn their South Dakota Law Enforcement Certification and become fully qualified law enforcement officers in the state. The students, whose graduation ceremony was held in Pierre on Friday, Nov. 18, completed 520 hours of course work that included instruction in the law, arrest control tactics, firearms, vehicle handling and criminal investigations.
“These dedicated students put in long hours away from family and friends to become certified,” said Vargo. “This day marks a milestone of their careers in public service and dedication to keeping South Dakota citizens safe.”
The training program is taught by full time staff from the Division of Criminal Investigation and adjunct instructors from law enforcement agencies from across the state.
Graduates:
Dillion Armour, Haakon County Sheriff’s Office
Parker Bailey, S.D. Highway Patrol
Kyle Bice, Davison County Sheriff’s Office
Caden Bjordahl, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office
Jackson Bong, Lead Police Department
Tanner Bray, Rapid City Police Department
Anthony Combs, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office
Joe Curtin, S.D. Highway Patrol
Marc Davies, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office
LexyJo Deneke, Hot Springs Police Department
Trevor Deurmier, Charles Mix County Sheriff’s Office
Charles Dobbs, Fall River County Sheriff’s Office
Kyle Elder, Rapid City Police Department
Brett Fishel, Yankton Police Department
Ashley Hohn, S.D. Highway Patrol
Austin Hughes, Rapid City Police Department
Joshua Jastorff, Rapid City Police Department
Amanda Jeseritz, Brandon Police Department
Daniel Luna, North Sioux City Police Department
Jordan Maxon, Yankton Police Department
Vincent Mox, Sioux Falls Police Department
Cydney Porter, Charles Mix County Sheriff’s Office
Ethan Richardson, S.D. Highway Patrol
Kevin Rodriguez, Sioux Falls Police Department
David Ruddy, Sioux Falls Police Department
Timothy Simmeron, McCook County Sheriff’s Office
Zachary Simons, Rapid City Police Department
Emily Skogen, Sturgis Police Department
Matthew Stangel, Sioux Falls Police Department
Jacob Talley, Sioux Falls Police Department
James Thibault, Rapid City Police Department
Abigail Thomas, Sioux Falls Police Department
Logan Thomas, Rapid City Police Department
Tasha Vohlken, Division of Criminal Investigation
Reece Walno, Spearfish Police Department
Brandon Watson, Mellette County Sheriff’s Office
Mason Whitehead, Sioux Falls Police Department
Caden Yurkovich, Watertown Police Department
Brianna Zimmer, Sioux Falls Police Department
