AG Jackley wants permanency for South Dakota-run tribal police academy

20 recruits certified to work as officers in first of its kind class

Members of 192nd basic law enforcement certification course attend their graduation. Its the first time the academy has hosted a class aimed at tribal law enforcement. (Austin Goss/The Dakota Scout)

PIERRE — Twenty South Dakotans and tribal members have completed the 13-week training necessary to become a certified law enforcement officer in the state.

Now, about half will begin working as tribal police officers or for agencies that operate along the boundaries of tribal lands.

Friends, family, fellow officers and government officials gathered at the George S. Mickelson Criminal Justice Center Tuesday to celebrate the new crop of rookie officers, and to put an exclamation mark on the state’s first-ever run at a tribe oriented law enforcement academy.

The academy, first proposed by Gov. Kristi Noem and Attorney General Marty Jackley in April, was pieced together by quick planning on the part of the Attorney General’s Office.

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