July 25, 2016

RCPD welcomes ten new officers

This sign reminds all officers the values they are expected to uphold as they do their job. This sign reminds all officers the values they are expected to uphold as they do their job.

Ten new officer-recruits have begun their training with the Rapid City Police Department. The new recruits will be officially sworn in as officers on July 27th at 3:00 p.m. in Judge Davis’ courtroom at the Pennington County Courthouse.

The Summer 2016 recruit class consists of:

  • Matthew Husfeldt grew up in Minnesota, and has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Mankato State University. He was most recently a Correctional Officer at the Pennington County Jail.
  • Matt Kunz is from Sottsbluff, NE, where he was a firefighter for the last four years. Prior to that, he was in the U.S. Army and served as an MP. He has an Associate’s degree in Law Enforcement from Rochester Community and Technical College.
  • Garrett Mastin grew up in Minnesota, and earned an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Laramie, WY, Community College. He was most recently employed as a Correctional Officer for the Pennington County Jail.
  • Nicholas Michael grew up in northern Michigan, and attended Ferris State University where he just graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice. Nick spent the last few months working security at Yellowstone National Park.
  • Jeffrey Otto grew up in Minnesota, and received his Associate’s degree in Law Enforcement from Alexandria Technical and Community College. Jeff is a current member of the Minnesota National Guard.
  • Dalton Santana grew up in Rapid City and graduated from Stevens High School. He is currently working on his Bachelor’s degree through the University of South Dakota.
  • Zechariah Stringer grew up in Petoskey, Michigan. He was a Cadet with the Petoskey Police Department, and graduated from Ferris State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.
  • Chad Strobel is returning to the RCPD after previously serving as an Officer for 11 years. Most recently, he was the Vice President/Owner of PTL Painting Professionals in Rapid City.
  • Brittany Vogel is from Coopersville, Michigan. She just graduated from Ferris State University with her Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice, minoring in Forensic Science.
  • Matt Warren graduated from Central High School in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and received his Bachelor’s Degree in History and Criminal Justice from the University of Wyoming in Laramie.

In August, the officers will begin an intensive law enforcement certification program at the George S. Mickelson Criminal Justice Center in Pierre.

After graduating from the academy in November 2016, the new officers will be certified to work in law enforcement in South Dakota. The officers will then be required to complete the RCPD’s Police Officer Field Training Program before receiving a permanent shift assignment for the remainder of their 18-month probationary period.

“It’s important to note that these individuals will be sworn in as police officers just weeks after the targeted attacks on law enforcement in Dallas, Texas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana,” said RCPD Chief of Police Karl Jegeris. “I am thankful that these events have not caused these individuals to lose sight of their commitment to serving those in need. I wish these ten officers the best as they continue toward their goal of becoming guardians of our great community.”

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