University of South Dakota Police Department

06/12/2026

Congratulations to Dispatcher Sidney Robinson on graduating from the South Dakota Basic Telecommunicator Certification Course! 🎉

Over the past two weeks, Sidney completed intensive training focused on emergency communications, call-taking, dispatch operations, incident prioritization, and public safety telecommunications. This certification is a critical milestone for every public safety dispatcher and provides the skills needed to effectively support law enforcement, fire, and EMS responses across our community. Also graduating from this course are Matthew Fritsch and Kerrigan Hoesing from Clay Area Emergency Communications.

Please join us in congratulating Sidney and all telecommunicators who completed this course, and thanking her for her commitment to serving the University of South Dakota community! 👏📞🚔

06/12/2026

This week, UPD Assistant Chief Juston Sangster joined law enforcement professionals from the Aberdeen, SD Police Department and Spink County Sheriff's Department for the American Crime Prevention Institute's Conducting Effective Security Assessments training.

Training opportunities like this are critical to strengthening public safety across our communities. By working alongside our law enforcement partners, we continue to build knowledge, share best practices, and develop the skills needed to proactively identify risks and enhance security in schools, businesses, places of worship, government facilities, and other community spaces.

Partnerships and continued professional development are essential to our mission. When agencies learn and grow together, we are better prepared to prevent crime, address vulnerabilities, and create safer environments for everyone we serve.

Thank you to Aberdeen Police Department for hosting this valuable training and to South Dakota Law Enforcement Training (LET) for helping make this opportunity possible.

This week, members of the Aberdeen Police Department had the opportunity to host and participate in Conducting Effective Security Assessments, a valuable training presented by the American Crime Prevention Institute.

The course provided specialized instruction on identifying risks and vulnerabilities and developing practical recommendations to improve the safety and security of existing facilities, campuses, and communities. Participants gained hands-on knowledge and skills that will help strengthen crime prevention and security efforts throughout the communities we serve.

We were proud to have 13 members of the Aberdeen Police Department attend, along with representatives from the University of South Dakota Police Department and the Spink County Sheriff's Office.

The knowledge gained through this training will directly benefit our community. Aberdeen Police Department personnel will be able to apply these assessment techniques when working with local schools, businesses, places of worship, government facilities, residents, and community organizations to identify potential vulnerabilities, enhance safety measures, and develop practical recommendations to reduce risks. By taking a proactive approach to security and crime prevention, we can help create safer environments for everyone who lives, works, and visits Aberdeen.

A special thank you to South Dakota Law Enforcement Training (LET) for their assistance in helping bring this training to our area and making this opportunity possible.

We appreciate the commitment of all attendees to continuing education and professional development as we work together to keep our communities safe

06/09/2026

⚠️ Dangerous heat and humidity peak today. Be sure to stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activities during the afternoon to early evening, and take periodic breaks from the heat.

Severe storm risks peak this evening/overnight with all hazards possible. Stay weather aware, and be ready to seek shelter when storms approach.

US National Weather Service Sioux Falls South Dakota

05/18/2026

🚔 Join Our Team at the University of South Dakota Police Department 🚔

The University of South Dakota Police Department is currently hiring a University Law Enforcement Officer (Police Officer) to serve and protect our campus community.

Our officers play a vital role in maintaining a safe learning environment through proactive patrol, responding to calls for service, enforcing laws and university policies, conducting investigations, completing detailed reports, and engaging in crime prevention, and safety education efforts. Officers also work closely with local and regional law enforcement partners.

This position offers a dynamic and rewarding opportunity to work in higher education law enforcement while making a direct impact on students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Current schedule includes rotating shifts:
▪️ Midnight – 8 AM
▪️ 8 AM – 4 PM
▪️ 4 PM – Midnight

Applicants must meet South Dakota law enforcement certification standards and successfully complete a background investigation, psychological evaluation, polygraph examination, and medical screening.

If you are committed to service, professionalism, and community engagement, we encourage you to apply and become part of our team.

Learn more and apply today at yourfuture.sdbor.edu.

05/17/2026

⚠️ Severe weather risks continue to rise, and will peak Sunday afternoon and evening. Know your severe weather plan, and have multiple ways to receive warnings! ⚠️

05/15/2026

Due to recent structure fires, we will be providing some tips on fire safety today and all of next week. We will introduce a different topic each day to help keep you fire safe!

🚨🔋 Don’t Let Your Smoke Alarm Retire Quietly! 🔋🚨
Your smoke alarm works hard to protect your home — but even heroes need replacing! 🦸‍♂️🏠

✅ Replace smoke alarm batteries every 6 months
✅ Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years
✅ Test alarms monthly to make sure they are ready when you need them

Here is an easy reminder:
🔋 Change batteries when you change your clocks.
🎂 Replace the whole alarm before it celebrates its 10th birthday!

A working smoke alarm can give your family precious extra minutes to escape during a fire. Stay safe and stay alarmed! 🔥❤️

University of South Dakota Police Department
University of South Dakota
City of Vermillion - Municipal Government
Vermillion, SD Police Department
Clay County Sheriff - Vermillion, SD
United Way of Vermillion
Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company
Vermillion Plain Talk
Vermillion School District
St. Agnes Catholic School

05/15/2026

While campus may be quieter for the summer, learning and professional development never stop. 🚔📚

The University of South Dakota Police Department was proud to host the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) Basic Crisis Negotiations course this week. More than thirty law enforcement officers from agencies across the region came together to strengthen critical communication, de-escalation, and crisis response skills.

This important training opportunity was funded through the Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC) and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) within the U.S. Department of Justice (facilitated by the great team at the International Association of Chiefs of Police).

Providing impactful, high-quality training for our officers and regional partners remains a priority. We appreciate everyone who attended and contributed to a successful week of learning and collaboration.

05/09/2026

🎓 Congratulations to all graduates from the University of South Dakota and surrounding institutions this commencement season! Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have paid off, and we are proud to celebrate this incredible achievement with you.

We also want to recognize several members of the University Police Department team for reaching important educational milestones:

👏 Assistant Chief Juston Sangster — Master of Arts in Adult and Higher Education
👏 Investigative Sergeant Joe Palleschi — Master of Arts in Adult and Higher Education
👏 Police Officer Gage Anderson — Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
👏 Dispatcher Sidney Robinson — Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science from South Dakota State University
👏 Student Security Officer Chloe O’Keefe — Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
👏 Student Security Officer Dipika Ranabhat — Master of Science in Computer Science

Your commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth reflects the very best of our department and our university community.

Congratulations, graduates! We are proud of you! 🎉

05/08/2026

Congratulations to all of the 2026 D.A.R.E. graduates in Vermillion and Wakonda! 👏🎓

This year, more than 20 students graduated from Wakonda Elementary School and more than 100 students graduated from Vermillion Elementary and St. Agnes Elementary Schools. We are proud of each student for their hard work, leadership, and commitment to making safe and responsible choices. This year's DARE instructors included UPD Sergeant Palleschi, Clay County Sheriff - Vermillion, SD Deputies Armstrong and Kymala, and Vermillion, SD Police Department Officer Hower.

We are especially proud that one of our UPD officers has the opportunity to assist with teaching the D.A.R.E. program and building positive relationships with students throughout our community.

We also appreciate the incredible community support from the Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company, Dairy Queen, Pizza Ranch, and United Way of Vermillion for helping make this year’s graduations special for the students.

Congratulations again to all of our D.A.R.E. graduates!

05/05/2026

A simple habit can make a big difference.

We’re seeing an increase in vehicle thefts in our surrounding area, and many of these incidents involve unlocked cars or keys left inside. Take a few extra seconds before you walk away. Lock your vehicle and bring your keys with you.

Help us keep our campus and community safe. 🚗🔒

Vermillion, SD Police Department Clay County Sheriff - Vermillion, SD

Lock it. Take your keys. Prevent theft.
Most vehicle thefts happen because doors are unlocked or keys are left inside.

We’re seeing an increase in vehicle thefts in Vermillion—many involve unlocked cars or keys left inside. A quick check before you walk away can make all the difference. Help us keep our community safe: lock your vehicle and take your keys every time.