What follows in this booklet is detailed information about the selection process and necessary qualifications to become a police officer in Rapid City, South Dakota. The police officer career requires energetic, bright, and caring people who are willing to be challenged. The selection process is designed to reasonably accommodate candidates by helping them prepare for the written entry-level exam and physical fitness test. We are confident that our selection process will provide excellent police candidates for our Department.

The City of Rapid City and the Police Department are ready and willing to answer your questions about the police testing process. Please ask any of our employees with whom you are dealing for the help you need. Their commitment is to help you make it through the selection process, and ultimately, join a team of police officers who make up one of the finest Police Department in the mid-west.

I want to personally thank you for your interest shown in starting your police career with the Rapid City Police Department. I wish you well during the selection process. I will look forward to meeting and visiting with you.

Once again, best wishes in your endeavors.

Sincerely,
Steve Allender
Chief of Police

POSITION DESCRIPTION - POLICE OFFICER

Under close supervision of Sergeant, provides protection of life and property within the municipal boundaries of the City of Rapid City.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Preserves the peace by:

  • responding to calls for assistance involving altercation between people, including but not limited to domestic disturbances, fighting and neighborhood disputes;

  • performing crowd and traffic control;

  • enforcing state and city ordinances relating to keeping the peace;

  • providing motorized, foot and bicycle patrol to residential and business areas to maintain community relations;

• Protects life by:

  • responding to calls for service and emergency assistance;

  • rendering aid to the physically injured, handicapped and others requiring assistance, including but not limited to victims of accidents, criminal incidents, natural disasters or other incidents;

  • investigating safety hazards and taking action to correct potential problem areas, including road hazards, defects and environmental hazards;

• Investigates violations of state laws and city ordinances and arrests violators using degree of force necessary in accordance with state law and department policy;

• Prepares incident and accident reports, affidavits, citations, legal documents, memorandums and other job related documents;

• Operates police vehicles in routine and emergency situations;

• Enforces traffic laws to curtail violations;

• Maintains physical condition necessary to perform official duties and day-to-day operations, and to operate job related equipment, including lethal and non-lethal weapons, radios, handcuffs, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, crime scene kit, photography equipment, and any other equipment as needed;

ADDITIONAL TASKS

• Secures crime scenes to identify and collect any physical evidence present and obtains descriptions of suspects and vehicles involved in crimes or criminal activity;

• Participates in job related training and courses to maintain skills, knowledge and abilities necessary to perform duties;

• Performs various services for citizens, including assisting stalled, lost or locked out motorists, animal complaints, nuisance calls, and responds to other related requests;

• Conducts information programs concerning safety, drug awareness, child abuse and other related issues for elementary and secondary school children;

• Uses computers to enter and query information as needed;

• Performs related duties as required;

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

• Ability to work in all weather conditions. Must be available for call-out on a twenty four hour basis. Must be able to work rotating shifts.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS - (From RCPD R&P 411-02)

• Be at least 21 years of age and a United States Citizen;
• Not be convicted of a felony crime or multiple; and/or serious misdemeanor offenses;
• Possess a valid driver’s license;
• Have an Associate’s Degree or at least 64 semester hours of college credits from an accredited institution; or
• Have four years certified law enforcement experience; or
• Have six years full-time active duty military service; or
• Have a combination of both College hours and law enforcement experience, or military service. The general rule is two years of sworn law enforcement experience may substitute for one year of college, or three years full-time active duty military service for one year of college.
• Candidates not possessing a two year degree, although qualifying under the general rule of experience substituting for education, will be required to sign a contract, prior to employment, agreeing to complete an Associate Degree or higher, from an accredited college, university, or technical institute.

The City of Rapid City is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Beginning Your Career (booklet)

Rapid City Police Department Online Application

If You Need Further Assistance or Have Questions
Contact our Training Administrator, Sergeant Tom Senesac
at 605-394-4117 - FAX 605-355-3069
or E-mail him by clicking here. 
PLEASE do not  send requests for patches or other police accessory items.