Matt Vandervelde

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I enjoy being a patrol officer because each day can and is usually different than the day before. I appreciate the community that I live and work in, the outpouring of support from the community can be seen in various ways throughout the year.

I have always been interested in a couple of vocations, teaching elementary school and being a police officer. I chose to be a teacher and taught for several years in Iowa and California. I chose to move to Sioux Falls because it is a great community to raise a family. Upon the move, it was a perfect opportunity to change careers and pursue law enforcement. I already had a brother that was a police officer in Sioux Falls and loved his job. I already knew numerous officers on the force and saw the comradery and close bond that they shared and wanted to be part of that. I have been a police officer with Sioux Falls for 20 years, worked all parts of the city and all types of shifts. I enjoy being a patrol officer because each day can and is usually different than the day before. I appreciate the community that I live and work in, the outpouring of support from the community can be seen in various ways throughout the year. I could not see myself doing this job anywhere but here.