FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Wednesday, May 23, 2018

CONTACT:  Sara Rabern (605) 773-3215 

PIERRE, S.D. - Attorney General Marty Jackley confirmed today the next School Sentinel Training Program has been scheduled for July 30-August 10, 2018 at the Law Enforcement Training Academy in Pierre. In 2013, the South Dakota legislature passed a law allowing school districts the right to create, establish and supervise the arming of school employees, hired security personnel or volunteers. 

“My responsibility as Attorney General is to provide training to better ensure firearm safety and that sentinels are brought into the overall law enforcement school shooting operation plan,” said Jackley. 

The basic sentinel training course will provide 80 hours of required subject training in firearms proficiency, use of force, legal aspects, weapons retention, weapons storage, protocol for identifying sentinel and first aid.

Administrative Rules set out the minimum standards, which include the following:

 (1)  Is a citizen of the United States;
          (2)  Is at least 21 years of age at time of appointment;
          (3)  Has fingerprints taken by a qualified law enforcement officer;
          (4)  Is of good moral character;
          (5)  Is a graduate of an accredited high school or has a high school equivalency certificate acceptable to the                      commission;
          (6)  Is examined by a licensed physician who certifies, on forms prescribed by the commission, that the                            applicant is able to perform the duties of a school sentinel;
          (7)  Is interviewed in person by the school board or its designee and approved by the school board to apply to                  the school sentinel basic training course;
          (8)  Has received written approval to apply to the school sentinel basic training course by all local law                              enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over the school premises in which the individual will act as a                          school sentinel;
            (9) Has not unlawfully used any prescribed drug, controlled substance, or marijuana within one year before                   the time of application for training; and

(10) Has a valid concealed weapons permit.

School Districts are responsible for the necessary fees for the basic training course. Cost is estimated to be $800.00 per student for this class.

Law Enforcement Training School Sentinel Training Application

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