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January 4, 2011 - Rapid City Police Department Hires 10 New Police Officers

Rapid City, S.D. - Last month the Rapid City Police Department hired 10 new police officers.  The officers began their training on Dec. 6, and are now attending an intensive 12-week program at the George S. Mickelson Criminal Justice Center in Pierre.

After graduating from the academy, the new officers will be certified to work in law enforcement in South Dakota.  All of the officers will then be required to complete the Department’s 15-week Police Officer Field Training Program before receiving a permanent shift assignment for the remainder of their 18-month probationary period.

The recruit class hired in December includes:

Officer Jason Collins is originally from Rapid City.  He graduated from Lakewood High School in Littleton, Colo., and earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Arapahoe Community College in Littleton.  Officer Collins has more than 10 years of law enforcement experience with the Broomfield Police Department in Broomfield, Colo., where he served as a K-9 officer.

Officer Marc Cote is from Belchertown, Mass., where he graduated from Belchertown High School.  He earned bachelor’s degrees in both criminal justice and psychology from Westfield State College in Westfield, Mass.  Officer Cote most recently worked for Chicopee Concrete Service in Chicopee, Mass.

Officer Michael Frybarger is from Rapid City, where he graduated from Central High School.  Officer Frybarger served five years in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of sergeant and completing two tours of duty in Iraq.

Officer Adam Koch is from Lakefield, Minn.  He graduated from Windom Area High School in Windom, Minn., and earned an associate’s degree in law enforcement from Alexandria Technical and Community College in Alexandria, Minn.  He served more than three years as a patrol officer for the Lakefield Police Department in Lakefield, Minn.

Officer Daniel Mertz is from Sioux City, Iowa, where he graduated from North High School. He earned an associate’s degree in law enforcement technology from Western Dakota Tech in Rapid City, and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.  Officer Mertz most recently worked as a security officer for M.G. Oil in Rapid City.

Officer Brian Pitts is from Rapid City.  He graduated from Douglas High School in Box Elder, and earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration from National American University.  He most recently worked as the director of coaching for the South Dakota State Soccer Association in Rapid City.

Officer Daniel Raetz is from Lance Creek, Wyo.  He graduated from Niobrara County High School in Lusk, Wyo., and attended Casper Community College.  He most recently worked as a roustabout and pipeliner hand at Miller Enterprises in Lance Creek.
Officer Phllip Sparks is from Fontana, Calif.  He graduated from Wichita East High in Wichita, Kan., and earned degrees in law enforcement technology from Western Dakota Tech in Rapid City, and aircraft maintenance from Community College of the Air Force in Montgomery, Ala.  Officer Sparks most recently worked as an electronic sales associate at Walmart in Rapid City.

Officer Maximus Taylor is from Milwaukee, Wis., where he graduated from Riverside High School.  He earned an associate’s degree in police science from Milwaukee Area Technical College, and both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in business administration from Lakeland College in Sheboygan, Wis.  Officer Taylor previously served seven years as a police officer for the Kansas City Police Department in Missouri, and 22 years as an officer for the Milwaukee Police Department.

Officer Kyle Theisen is from Wadena, Minn.  He graduated from Wadena-Deer Creek High School in Wadena, Minn., and earned an associate’s degree in law enforcement from Ridgewater College in Willmar, Minn.  He most recently served as a patrol officer for the Grafton Police Department in Grafton, N.D.

Chief Allender also recently announced the promotion of two officers in the Department:

Captain Karl Jegeris has been promoted from lieutenant, and assigned to command the Field Services Division.  Capt. Jegeris began his career with the Department as a patrol officer in 1995.  He was assigned as a school liaison officer in 2000, and reassigned as a juvenile detective in 2003.  Capt. Jegeris was promoted to sergeant in 2005 and to lieutenant in 2007.

Lieutenant Peter Ragnone has been promoted from sergeant, and assigned to Field Services under the command of Capt. Jegeris.  Lt. Ragnone began his career with the Department as a patrol officer in 1991.  He was promoted to detective in 1997, and assigned as a community resource officer in 2000.  He was assigned as training administrator and promoted to sergeant in 2001.



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