FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025

Contact: Tony Mangan, Communications Director, 605-773-6878 

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley congratulates the 17 recruits who will graduate Friday, Feb. 21, from the Law Enforcement Training program held in Sioux Falls.

“The Sioux Falls Academy is a testament to the partnership between the Attorney General’s Office, the Sioux Falls Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies,” said Attorney General Jackley, who will be the ceremony’s keynote speaker. “This academy allows the recruits to stay at home during training and allows the participating law enforcement agencies to fill needed officer positions.”

This is the seventh Law Enforcement Training program to graduate from the Sioux Falls regional academy. The academy was started in 2020 and is managed by the state Law Enforcement Training program. As part of its partnership in the regional academy, the Sioux Falls Police Department contributes adjunct instructors for the program and hosts the program in its facility.

The Sioux Falls program lasts 13 weeks. Graduates are required to complete 520 hours of course work that includes instruction in the law, arrest control tactics, firearms, vehicle handling, and criminal investigations.

Members of the 194th Basic Law Enforcement Certification Course and their law enforcement organization are:

*** Brent Ekanger, Sioux Falls Police Department.

*** Peyton Grant, Sioux Falls Police Department.

*** Jason Vultaggio, Sioux Falls Police Department.

*** Wyatt Hodges, Sioux Falls Police Department.

*** Bailey McCormick, Sioux Falls Police Department.

*** Adam Hall, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office.

*** Gwyneth Handel, Sioux Falls Police Department.

*** Michael Gatluak, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office.

*** Brett Johnson, Sioux Falls Police Department.

*** Christopher Castro, Sioux Falls Police Department.

*** Quentin Brandt, Sioux Falls Police Department.

*** Seth Schincke, Sioux Falls Police Department.

***Kimberly Johnson, Sioux Falls Police Department.

*** Marcus Loa, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office.

*** Christian Johnson, Sioux Falls Police Department.

*** Kaylie Bahr, Sioux Falls Police Department.

*** Cory Scott, Sioux Falls Police Department.

Friday’s graduation ceremony starts at 10 a.m. in the Orpheum Theater Center, 315 N. Phillips Ave.

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