State welcomes 19 new law enforcement officers

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – More than a dozen new law enforcement officers are ready to serve their communities after graduating from the Basic Law Enforcement Certification Course at the Sioux Falls Regional Academy.

"As the Sioux Falls area grows, there's a need for more law enforcement officers and public safety. And that's what's so important and great about this new program. It's filling that need. So we've got plenty of officers protecting the Sioux Falls area," South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said.

John Vreugdenhil says his interactions with law enforcement growing up made him want to join the ranks.

"I've had multiple experiences in my life where first responders did good in my life and I kind of wanted to get back to my community in that same way and do that in other people's lives," Vreugdenhil said.

Tianna Bumbaca-Kuehl will also be staying in Sioux Falls.

"Being able to help people with mental health problems, which can be hard to detect sometimes, is something I'm very very passionate about," Bumbaca-Kuehl said.

This is the sixth class to complete the program in the Sioux Falls region since the program was established in 2020.

"Part of the reason it's a success is law enforcement numbers are down across the nation. But here in South Dakota, we took action," Jackley said.

Both of the new officers come from smaller communities and are excited to serve Sioux Falls.

"I really wanted to go to a community where I'm more needed and can be more helpful in the most amount of people's lives that I can," Vreugdenhil said.

"If I can go home at the end of the day and know that I helped, just one person can go a long way," Bumbaca-Kuehl said.

The Sioux Falls program lasts 13 weeks where the recruits will go through 520 hours of coursework. For more information on the program.