Police Officer Requirements - South Dakota

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Minimum Requirements to be a Police Officer in South Dakota

How to become a police officer in South Dakota

Published: August 18, 2024

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To become a police officer in South Dakota, candidates must meet a series of qualifications and requirements as outlined by the South Dakota Law Enforcement Training (LET) Commission and individual law enforcement agencies within the state.

Below are the key qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

Age: Must be at least 21 years old by the time of academy graduation.

Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen.

Education: Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.

Driver’s License: Must possess a valid South Dakota driver’s license.

Criminal Record: Must have no felony convictions or serious misdemeanor convictions, especially those involving moral turpitude or domestic violence.

Background Check: Must pass a comprehensive background investigation, including fingerprinting and checks for criminal history.

Physical Fitness: Must pass a physical fitness test that includes various physical assessments such as running, push-ups, and sit-ups.

Medical and Psychological Evaluations: Must pass thorough medical and psychological evaluations to ensure physical and mental fitness for duty.

Vision and Hearing: Must meet specific vision and hearing standards set by the LET Commission.

Additional Requirements

Polygraph Exam: Some agencies may require candidates to pass a polygraph examination as part of the hiring process.

Drug Screening: Must pass a drug screening test.

Training: Upon meeting these initial qualifications, candidates must successfully complete the Basic Law Enforcement Certification Course at the South Dakota Law Enforcement Training Academy.This course includes training in criminal law, firearms, defensive tactics, emergency response, and more.

Do Your Research

While state-level qualifications set the baseline for becoming a police officer, individual police agencies often implement stricter hiring standards to align with their specific needs and values.

These enhanced criteria can include regulations on tattoos, facial hair, background checks, and more.

Additionally, agencies might conduct more rigorous background checks than the state requires, diving deeper into an applicant’s history, including financial records, social media activity, and past behavior, to ensure candidates meet the department's ethical and professional standards.

Be sure to conduct more research into the requirements, qualifications, and disqualifications for specific agencies so that you are well prepared before entering their hiring process.

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Sources

South Dakota Law Enforcement Training (LET) Commission
Go Law Enforcement - South Dakota Police Officer Requirements
How to Become a Police Officer in South Dakota
South Dakota Department of Public Safety

Disclaimer

The requirements and qualifications for becoming a police officer may be subject to change due to updates in state legislation and public safety laws.

We strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information; however, we recommend verifying with the relevant state or local law enforcement authorities to ensure compliance with the current standards and requirements.