Police Officer / Sheriff Deputy in Rapid City area? (Sturgis: college, taxes)

[a42887]

I am going to be graduating college here soon with my bachelors in Criminal Justice, and really want to move to Rapid City. I will be seeking work with either the Police Department or Sheriffs Department. Does anyone have or know someone that has experience with how long it actually takes to get hired on? Here in Omaha, they take on dozens of officers multiple times of the year. The chances of getting in on that are about 20-25%. I'm worried that it might take quite some time trying to get into a smaller department, especially fresh out of college. Thanks in advance!

[DannyBanany]

In Rapid City, sheriffs are quite numerous and I am sure that you may be considered. Pennington County covers a large area of the state and with the growing population and suburbs, I am guessing that sheriffs are needed throughout the metro area.

You may also want to consider Sturgis which is about 20 miles northwest of Rapid City. It is the seat of Meade County and it is growing VERY fast out that way. Rapid City is on the county line and many people build in Meade County to avoid the high taxes of Rapid City. Sturgis probably has few sheriffs and probably needs them more than Rapid City to control Rapid City's urban runoff. Plus, Interstate 90 is very congested northwest of Rapid City and I hardly ever see law enforcement out there.

Try both cities! Good Luck!

[dpf]

If you should find that you cannot get into the sheriff's department immediately you might consider starting in SD Corrections. There is a Trusty Unit in Rapid City and several juvenile facilities in the Black Hills. I have been affiliated with SD Corrections for many years. I have watched numerous young people with degrees in criminal justice start as guards and progress through the ranks in corrections or use the position as a stepping stone to become highway patrolmen or county sheriffs or deputies and a policeman in some of the larger towns.