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Join our team!
Find your adventure in Spearfish. Being a part of the Spearfish Police Department is much more than a job. It’s an opportunity to grow your career, make a difference in your own life and in the lives of people around you, and live in one of the most beautiful travel destinations in the world. Located in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, the Spearfish Police Department is a growing agency in a picturesque community which offers something for everyone through its natural scenery, outdoor recreational opportunities, diverse economy, and quality of life.
Spearfish is known as a thriving outdoor recreational paradise, and on any given day of any season, there are adventures awaiting, whether hiking, biking, fishing, climbing, skiing, and more. Spearfish Creek runs through the community; Spearfish is located at the mouth of Spearfish Canyon; and the Black Hills National Forest surrounds us. More than half of Lawrence County, in which Spearfish is located, is public forestland, and compared to communities of its size, Spearfish ranks near the top in acres of parks and green space.
Spearfish’s geography, as well as its location at the intersection of two major U.S. highways – Interstate 90 and U.S. Highway 85 (CanAm Highway) – draw visitors, commerce, and new residents. The Greater Spearfish Area has experienced steady growth, with an annual 3 percent growth rate. With roots in education, health care, tourism, mining, and timber, Spearfish’s broad-based economy makes it a hub in Western South Dakota, drawing people from across the Tri-State region who shop, dine, and utilize services in Spearfish.
Our Organization
Spearfish was surveyed and staked out in 1876 and officially incorporated in 1888. The City of Spearfish has approximately 150 employees who serve the residents and visitors of Spearfish. On a seasonal basis, the city hires approximately 110 seasonal employees to assist in all areas of our organization.
The Spearfish Police Department has a proud history and is recognized around the state and region for its professionalism in serving the community’s citizens, businesses, and visitors. Currently, the department has 26 sworn officers and 12 civilian personnel. We welcome your interest in becoming part of our team!
Applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications to be considered for employment:
- Have a high school diploma or GED.
- Be at least 21 years old at the time of initial application.
- Be a United States citizen.
- Have or be able to obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of South Dakota.
Minimum standards to become a Spearfish Police Officer:
- Have not committed or been convicted of a felony.
- Have not committed or been convicted of a serious misdemeanor in the preceding 5 years.
- Have not committed or been convicted of Driving While Impaired during the preceding 5 years.
- Have an Honorable Military Discharge; General and Uncharacterized Discharges are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
- Pass an entry level written examination.
- Pass an extensive background investigation including psychological examination, polygraph examination, etc.
- Pass a pre-employment Medical Examination and Drug Screening Test.
Residency Requirements
The Spearfish Police Department requires that all sworn police officers will be able to get to their scheduled shifts on time. There is no residency requirement; however, a valid driver’s license (or the ability to obtain one if relocating) issued by the State of South Dakota is required.
Out of state residents are eligible to apply.
Looking for a challenging and meaningful career? Want a career with opportunity for growth and advancement?
Join the Spearfish Police Department (SPD), a value-driving organization committed to excellence and partnering with the community to make the City of Spearfish a better place to live, visit, and conduct business.
Beyond competitive salaries and benefits, this department provides officers with leadership opportunities and comprehensive training. We invest in our recruits and pay officers-in-training a full-time salary while they attend the academy.
The Spearfish Police Department offers a competitive salary and benefits package to all its officers.
Starting wage for an SPD officer: $28.72/hour (which includes $2.00/hour shift work stipend), with a $4,000 sign-on bonus!
Officers work a 40-hour week and are paid overtime for any hours worked above 40.
- Uniforms and equipment provided
- Health insurance provided for the employee at no cost. The City pays 75% of the premium for additional/family coverage.
- Paid Time Off (PTO) - Starting accrual is 160 hours in the first year of employment, which accrues at increasing rates based on the employee’s length of service with the city.
- 12 paid holidays
- Dental insurance
- Life insurance
- Vision insurance
- Retirement plan provided through the South Dakota Retirement System. City matches 8% of the public safety employee’s pre-tax wages.
- Supplemental retirement plan available
- Employee assistance program
- Education tuition loan program
- Free membership to the Spearfish Recreation Center.
See the benefit brochure; more comprehensive information about benefits is available here.
As you can see, the application process has multiple steps which take time to complete. We will stay in touch with you through the hiring process, and we work hard to make it as expedited as possible. At any point in the hiring process, please feel free to reach out to us with questions!
Initial Application
The application process starts on the City of Spearfish Job Openings page. Once on the Jobs page, scroll to the appropriate “Police Officer” link. Please ensure that you select the appropriate job posting. You will have to create an online account to complete the application process.
Once the application is submitted and reviewed, qualified applicants will then be contacted to set up a short phone interview so we can introduce our agency to you and find out more about why you are interested in becoming a Spearfish Police Officer.
Testing and Interview
Qualified candidates will be invited to complete written testing. You will receive further information about testing dates. Candidates who participate in the testing process should plan to spend a full day in Spearfish, unless otherwise noted by the Administrative Coordinator. The test will include a written test. This exam is timed and consists of both multiple-choice and observational questions. Candidates must pass the written test (a score of at least 80 percent) to continue the application process.
After passing the written tests, applicants will have an in-person oral board interview with a committee made up of several representatives from the Spearfish Police Department/City of Spearfish team. After all candidates complete interviews, the board will determine the top candidates (dependent on the number of current or projected openings), who will move on to the next phase in the hiring process.
Background Investigation Process
Pre-conditional offer:
After successful completion of testing and interview, applicants will receive a link to a questionnaire to fill out to begin the Background Packet, as well as a Release of Information Form. This packet includes information for the candidate to fill out regarding their history and a list of documents that applicants must gather and submit, to include driver’s license, birth certificate, etc. (See the FAQ tab for a more comprehensive list of documents.) It is recommended that applicants begin collecting documents prior to testing so there is no delay in submitting the background packet. Applicants will have 10 days from testing to submit their background packet.
Selected applicants will be assigned a background investigator who will review the background packet and schedule the applicant for a comprehensive background interview.
Throughout the background investigation process, investigators will be checking applicant information through multiple criminal justice databases, performing a credit check, and verifying personal and work references.
Applicants who successfully complete the background investigation will be scheduled to complete a polygraph with a certified polygrapher, and successful candidates will be given a conditional offer of employment.
Post-conditional offer:
The following steps will be completed after an applicant has been given a conditional offer of employment:
- Psychological Exam
- Occupational Health Exam
- Drug Screening
Law Enforcement Academy
New officers begin training on their very first day with the department and will attend an intensive 13-week program at the George S. Mickelson Criminal Justice Center in Pierre to earn their South Dakota Law Enforcement Officer certification. In addition to graduating from the Academy, new hires complete a 17-week Police Officer Field Training Program. This program helps the officer learn hands-on and ensures that the officer is prepared and ready to work on his or her own. At the end of the field training program, the new officer will receive a permanent shift assignment on patrol.
If you are already certified as a Law Enforcement Officer in the State of South Dakota, you will still complete an in-house Police Officer Field Training Program, with length of training to be determined on a case-by-case basis.
For more information about the hiring process, contact the Spearfish Police Department Administrative Coordinator at 605-642-1305.
How do I get in touch with the police department?
For more information about the hiring process, email or call the Spearfish Police Department Administrative Coordinator at 605-642-1305.
Where is the PD located?
The Spearfish Police Department is located at 225 W Illinois Street, Spearfish, SD 57783. The department is part of the City Hall facility.
How do I apply?
Please see the “Application Process” tab above to get started with your application!
What are the minimum requirements?
Applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications to be considered for employment:
- Have a high school diploma or GED.
- Be at least 21 years old at the time of initial application.
- Be a United States citizen.
- Have or be able to obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of South Dakota.
What benefits are included with the job?
Please click on the “Pay & Benefits” tab above to find out more about the competitive salary and benefits package offered to Spearfish Police Officers!
Tell me more about the community of Spearfish.
Spearfish is known as a thriving outdoor recreational paradise, and on any given day of any season, there are adventures awaiting, whether hiking, biking, fishing, climbing, skiing, and more. Spearfish Creek runs through the community; Spearfish is located at the mouth of Spearfish Canyon; and the Black Hills National Forest surrounds us. The Greater Spearfish Area has experienced steady growth, with an annual 3 percent growth rate. With roots in education, health care, tourism, mining, and timber, Spearfish’s broad-based economy makes it a hub in Western South Dakota, drawing people from across the Tri-State region who shop, dine, and utilize services in Spearfish.
What shifts do Spearfish Police Officers work?
Spearfish Police Officers work 8-hour shifts to complete their 40-hour workweek. Shifts include a morning (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.), afternoon (2 p.m. to 10 p.m.), and night (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) shift, with some overlap shifts built into the schedule as needed. The schedule rotates every six weeks to allow officers time to acclimate. Any hours worked above 40 are paid as overtime.
Do I need to complete a Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) course prior to applying?
No. If you successfully complete the Spearfish Police Department background process, you will be hired and then attend the 13-week program at the George S. Mickelson Criminal Justice Center in Pierre to earn South Dakota Law Enforcement Officer certification. During this training, you are paid as a full-time employee.
Officers who already have their South Dakota Law Enforcement Officer certification are encouraged to apply.
Do I need to purchase any equipment?
As a paid employee of the Spearfish Police Department, all of your uniforms and equipment will be provided for you.
I live outside the State of South Dakota; can I still apply?
Yes! Hired employees will need to obtain a valid driver’s license from the State of South Dakota, but applicants can complete the process while living out of state.
What types of opportunity does the department offer me?
We offer a challenging and rewarding career with numerous possibilities for you to make a difference in our community. Patrol, Investigations, School Resource Officer, Recruitment and Training, Canine, and many more. Our department will provide you with the finest equipment available including a computer tablet, cellphone, uniforms, body and in-car cameras, possible take-home vehicle, local, regional, and national training opportunities, and more!
Can I get started gathering documents to complete my application packet?
Yes. Applicants that pass the entry-level written examination and oral interview board will receive an application packet via email to complete. Some of the items are listed below for applicants to begin gathering. You may upload digital copies of these documents directly to the site once you begin filling out the online packet:
- Driver’s license
- Birth certificate
- Social Security card
- High School Diploma or GED Certificate and certified transcripts
- Any additional diplomas and corresponding certified transcripts
- Divorce decree, if applicable
- Adoption papers, if applicable
- Military Discharge Form DD-214, if applicable
- Naturalization papers, if applicable
The City of Spearfish is an Equal Opportunity Employer.