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