PIERRE, S.D.- Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today the appointment of John M. Long, Public Safety Director for Tribal Law Enforcement for the Pine Ridge Agency to the Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission. He has been appointed to a two-year term effective July 2011.
Long’s appointment will signify a new addition to the Commission. Legislation that was passed in the 2011 session requires one member of the LEOSTC to be an enrolled tribal member and law enforcement officer. The Attorney General’s Office spearheaded this legislation to require a tribal member to be part of this 11 person commission. Long is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and an experienced law enforcement officer. He began his law enforcement career in 1990 as a police officer for the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and includes his current position of Public Safety Director for Tribal Law Enforcement for the Pine Ridge Agency.
“The addition of a tribal member to this Commission is an important step in strengthening relationships between local, state and tribal law enforcement,” said Jackley. “John’s 21 years of law enforcement experience will improve public safety for all South Dakota.”
The South Dakota Law Enforcement Standards and Training Commission is a 11 person commission. Eight of the commissioners are appointed by the Attorney General. They represent the South Dakota Highway Patrol, South Dakota Sheriff’s Offices, Police Departments, the State Bar Association, institutes of higher education, the Municipal League, County Commissioners and an enrolled tribal member who is a certified law enforcement officer. The other three commissioners are the Chief Agent from the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, a regional Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent, and the Attorney General. The Commission sets the training standards and certification process for the South Dakota law enforcement community.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, July 7, 2011
CONTACT: Sara Rabern, (605) 773-3215
