Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to become a police officer in South Dakota
- Certifying body
- South Dakota Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission (Office of the Attorney General, Law Enforcement Training)
- Certification
- Certified South Dakota Law Enforcement Officer (certificate of qualification)
- Minimum age
- At least 21 at the time of appointment (ARSD 2:01:02:01(2)).
- Education
- Graduate of an accredited high school or a commission-accepted high school equivalency certificate (ARSD 2:01:02:01(5)).
- Citizenship
- U.S. citizen (ARSD 2:01:02:01(1)).
- Disqualifiers
- Any plea or conviction for an offense punishable by more than 1 year of incarceration; lesser offenses are reviewed case by case (ARSD 2:01:02:02). Also disqualifying: unlawful drug or marijuana use within 1 year, and a prior certification revoked, suspended, refused, or surrendered. So is dismissal from a basic academy for misconduct or academic/skill failure, though the commission may grant eligibility on application (ARSD 2:01:02:01(10)-(11)).
- Basic academy
- Basic Law Enforcement Certification Course, a 520-hour commission-approved curriculum (ARSD 2:01:06:05), held at the Criminal Justice Training Center in Pierre (ARSD 2:01:06:07).
- State exam
- No separate licensing exam. Candidates must pass all written and skills examinations of the basic course, with a maximum of 2 attempts each (ARSD 2:01:06:06). Reciprocity applicants take a written reciprocity examination (ARSD 2:01:06:03).
- Time to certify
- Uncertified officers may serve on a temporary/probationary basis for up to 12 cumulative months; third-class municipalities can get a 1-year extension (SDCL 23-3-41; ARSD 2:01:06:02). They may not do enforcement work until they pass the state qualifying firearms course.
- Officers from other states
- Reciprocity (ARSD 2:01:06:03): requires an equivalent basic course completed, or full-powered certified service, within the prior 2 years. The candidate passes a written reciprocity exam, then completes required training (always firearms, EVOC, and use of force; about 1.5 weeks per the AG FAQ) and must meet 2:01:02:01. Applicants separated or trained more than 2 years ago need commission approval.
- Continuing training
- 40 hours of training every 2-year period, including annual duty-handgun requalification (75% minimum) and domestic-violence training (ARSD 2:01:06:17, 2:01:06:17.01; SDCL 23-3-39.4).
One standard covers municipal police, deputies, Highway Patrol troopers, and elected or appointed sheriffs, who must meet the same qualifications and finish the course within 12 months (SDCL 23-3-43). The rules set no state physical fitness test and no driver-license requirement, though the background check reviews driving history.
Source: State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Pay in South Dakota, all employers Sourced
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) in South Dakota, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | SD |
|---|---|
| Workers | 2,000 |
| 10th percentile | $47,540 |
| Median | $60,740 |
| 90th percentile | $91,900 |
| National median, government employers | $76,300 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pension in South Dakota
Local employees: Local police and firefighters
| Plan | Accrual | Normal retirement | Employee pays | Social Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Retirement System - Generational Class B Public Safety Generational member, Class B public safety | 2% | Age 57 with 3 years of contributory service (vested) | 8% | Not stated |
The statewide plan a new hire usually joins. Some cities and counties run their own plans; check with the employer. Each plan's formula, vesting, cost-of-living adjustment and retiree health are on the South Dakota pension plans list.
Source: State retirement systems, Official state retirement system pages, member handbooks and statutes. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Employers in South Dakota
62 police departments in South Dakota.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for South Dakota
South Dakota Law Enforcement Certification ExamSouth Dakota exam · free on Open Exam Prep- IPMA-HR / PSHRA Entry-Level Police Officer Test (PO-EL)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Law Enforcement Aptitude Battery (LEAB)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory (NCJOSI-3)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- National Police Officer Selection Test (POST)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- NTN FrontLine National - Law Enforcement ExamPractice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Police Aptitude and Character Test (PACT)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
More about this job
Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Police Officer page.
Police Officer in other states
More government jobs in South Dakota
South Dakota government jobs · South Dakota public pension plans · police officer standards in South Dakota · exam practice in South Dakota