BECOMING AN OFFICER
THE REQUIREMENTS
Associate’s degree or a minimum of 64 hours of college credit from an accredited institution;
OR Four years of active duty, national guard, or reserve military service/experience;
*In addition, candidates must be at least 21 years of Age, a US Citizen, posses a valid drivers license and have not been convicted of a felony crime or serious misdemeanor offense
THE SELECTION PROCESS
Once passing both the Entrance Exam and Fitness test, candidates will be scheduled for an In-person interview. Candidates will be questioned individually by an interview board. The Interview Board will determine top candidates who will move forward to the next phase of the hiring process.
A number of top candidates (dependent on the number of current or projected openings) will receive contingent offers of employment and move on to an extensive background investigation, psychological exam, medical exam, and possible polygraph.
Upon accepting a conditional offer, candidates will undergo an extensive background investigation and possible polygraph. During the background investigation phase, candidates will also undergo a psychological exam and medical exams that include: physical exam, eye exam, drug screen and a hearing test.
Upon successful completion of all tests, background and medical screens, a candidates scores will be presented to leadership to make a final hiring decision. Final offers will be presented to those who we feel meet the high standards of being an officer with RCPD.
POST HIRE
New hires are sworn in and will participate in a number of weeks of Pre-service training before attending the Academy. At hire officers enter their probationary period. The probationary period runs 18 months and is concurrent with other training phases.
New officers who are not currently certified or reciprocity eligible will be sent to the George S. Mickelson Criminal Justice Center Police Academy in Pierre, SD. The Academy is 13 weeks of Basic Officer Certification Courses as approved by the Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission.
Upon Successful completion of the Academy, New officers will earn their South Dakota Law Enforcement Officer Certification.
After completing the Academy Officers will begin an 18 week Police Training Officer Program this program helps the officer learn hands-on, and ensures that the officer is prepared and ready to work on his or her own.
At the end of the Police Training Officer program, the new officer will receive a shift assignment on patrol.
CERTIFIED AND RECIPROCITY ELIGIBLE
Certified Officers coming from another agency with a South Dakota Law Enforcement Officer Certification will complete any required Pre-service trainings and then will begin the 18 week Police Training Officer Program. At hire officers enter their probationary period. The probationary period runs 18 months and is concurrent with other training phases
Reciprocity Eligible Officers who are reciprocity eligible will test for their South Dakota Law Enforcement Officer Certification and will attend a one week practical application course In Pierre. Once successfully earning their certification and completing the practical application course the officer will begin their 18 week Police Training Officer Program. At hire officers enter their probationary period. The probationary period runs 18 months and is concurrent with other training phases.