FAQs

Yes, visible tattoos are permitted with a few caveats. They cannot be on the neck, face, head or scalp, nor are they permitted below the wrist except for a 3/8” band on the left ring finger. Any tattoos that are visible cannot be racist, sexist, vulgar, gang related, anti-American, anti-social, or prejudicial to the good of the order. The Chief of Police or their designee will make the final determination as to whether it is offensive or not.

Yes. Officers are sworn on their first day of employment with the department earn full salary and benefits while attending the academy.

Contact the Sioux Falls Law Enforcement Center at 605-367-7212 and request to speak with the Training Sergeant.

The length of the testing process varies widely based on a number of factors. Recruits are hired in classes scheduled around training dates offered through State Law Enforcement Training. Generally, the process takes a minimum of three months. Applicants who complete the full testing series will be under consideration for no greater than 24 months.

Yes, SFPD will conduct its own background investigation.

Applicants may complete phase one testing, the oral interview, in person or virtually. Applicants who move to phase two testing and live a considerable distance from Sioux Falls may be invited to complete the testing over a pre-scheduled timeframe. Applicants must pass each test to move to the next day’s testing.

The police academy is 13 weeks long.

Depending on class size, the academy is often held in Sioux Falls which allows for the recruit officer to spend nights at home. Occasionally, in the event of a small hire group, the recruit will attend the State academy in Pierre, SD. In this case the recruit officer would stay in Pierre during the week and have the option of returning home on the weekends.

Yes, you must be a United States Citizen

We do not have a lateral transfer program. Certified officers may be eligible to take the reciprocity exam and after receiving a passing score, will not need to attend the State Law Enforcement Training Academy. The Hiring Authority will take years of service into consideration for starting salary.

Apply online here

Per City of Sioux Falls Ordinance 39.069, candidates must be at least 21 years of age at the date of interview and no greater than 44 years of age at the date of interview.

Per City of Sioux Falls Ordinance 39.070, Mandatory Retirement for Uniformed Police and Fire Positions is Age 60.

The department will provide each recruit with everything needed to start off their law enforcement career including all uniforms, belts, flashlight, and firearm among others. We will even reimburse the recruit for the purchase of boots.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications to be considered for the position. Those includes:

• Associate’s degree or at least 60 semester hours of college credits from an accredited institution; or
• Two years of certified law enforcement experience; or
• Two years of military experience
• Any combination acceptable to the hiring authority

Academy training is just the beginning! After graduating from the academy you will attend several weeks of in-house training specifically related SFPD procedures. Once that is completed you’ll join a Police Training Officer for a 15-weeks of field training period prior to being sent out on your own.

Newly hired officers will become Generational Members of the class B plan of the South Dakota Retirement System (SDRS). Review the Generational Member Class B Public Safety Handbook.