FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 10, 2026
Contact: Tony Mangan, Communications Director, 605-773-6878
PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley congratulates the 16 students who graduate Friday from the state Basic Telecommunicator Certification Course held in Pierre.
“Every day, 911 telecommunicators are the calm voice in the moments of emergency situations,” said Attorney General Jackley. “Without them, law enforcement and first responders could not do their jobs.”
Graduation completes the two-week course for the students who represent 11 different law enforcement or communication centers statewide. The course includes training and hands-on exercises on issues such as public safety telecommunications, how to respond to questions from the caller, how to handle both emergency and non-emergency calls for service, and how to prioritize multiple incidents happening at one time.
Instructors are staff from the State Division of Criminal Investigation’s Office of Law Enforcement Training, which is part of the Attorney General’s Office; experienced 911 telecommunicators from across the state, and public safety stakeholders.
Friday’s graduation starts at 3:30 p.m. CDT in the George S. Mickelson Criminal Justice Center in Pierre. Chief Deputy Attorney General Brent Kempema is the keynote speaker.
Members of the 81st session of the Basic Telecommunicator Certification Course and their law enforcement organization are:
*** Addison Besler, Meade County Sheriff’s Office
*** Macie Black, Metro Communications
*** Jasmine Burch, Fall River County Sheriff’s Office
*** Grace Campbell, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office
*** Kaylen Crandall, Roberts County Sheriff’s Office
*** Eric Elsberry, Bon Homme County Sheriff’s Office
*** Amy Fleischhacker, Huron Department of Public Safety/State Radio
*** Mathew Fritsch, Clay Area Emergency Communications
*** Kerrigan Hoesing, Clay Area Emergency Communications
*** Carissa Oien, Roberts County Sheriff’s Office
*** Sidney Overbay, Huron Police Department
*** Sidney Robinson, University of South Dakota Police Department
*** Kayla Scholl, Lake County 9-1-1 Communications
*** Jewelia Siegler, Roberts County Sheriff’s Office
*** Amity Wilde, Meade County Sheriff’s Office
*** Christopher Williams, Brookings Police Department
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