South Dakota Highway Patrol Faces Trooper Shortage
The South Dakota Highway Patrol is struggling to fill trooper positions, according to testimony given to the Legislature's Government Operations and Audit Committee. State Public Safety Secretary Bob Perry addressed the committee on Wednesday, highlighting the challenges in maintaining adequate staffing levels.
Staffing Shortfalls and Their Impact
Currently, the Highway Patrol is down 25 troopers, representing approximately 12% of its 210 positions. The vacancies are primarily concentrated in western South Dakota, posing challenges for maintaining coverage in rural areas. Sen. Chris Karr inquired about the significance of the shortage, and Perry confirmed it's a matter of concern.
Perry explained that to compensate for the lack of personnel, troopers from better-staffed locations are required to travel and cover the vacant areas. This places additional strain on existing resources and potentially impacts response times in those regions.
Addressing the Staffing Gap
Rep. Julie Auch questioned Perry about the reasons for the lack of applicants, specifically regarding pay competitiveness compared to other states. Perry admitted that while the patrol offers competitive pay "within the state," they've been losing ground.
A current help-wanted ad shows a starting hourly wage of $30.46 per hour, plus additional $2.00 per hour night shift differential and $2.00 per hour weekend differential. Despite this, Perry noted that the patrol is "picky," with 165 applications received for the current group of 15 cadets in the state law enforcement academy.
Prairie Thunder Operation and Drug Interdiction
Sen. Karr also inquired about the recent Prairie Thunder operation in Sioux Falls and whether it drew troopers from other areas. Perry clarified that the patrol utilized five troopers from its drug interdiction division for the operation. These troopers aren't assigned to specific squads and are typically deployed for drug-related investigations.
Perry emphasized that the drug interdiction troopers are typically not reassigned to cover vacant areas unless there is a dire need, as their primary focus is drug enforcement. "If we took that focus away, we wouldn’t be doing what we promised them," he said.
Transparency in Arrest Statistics
Rep. Marty Overweg raised concerns about the accuracy of the arrest statistics initially reported for Prairie Thunder and later changed. Perry explained that the patrol has shifted to reporting the number of criminal charges, as it provides a more accurate representation. The change addresses the public perception that an arrest refers to a person, rather than an individual charge, as one person can be arrested on multiple charges.
Challenges and Future Considerations
Perry acknowledged the challenges the South Dakota Highway Patrol faces in attracting and retaining troopers, particularly in rural areas. He emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards during the hiring process, even amidst staffing shortages, a sentiment echoed by Sen. Taffy Howard. Addressing the pay competitiveness and continuing recruitment efforts are crucial steps in overcoming these challenges and ensuring public safety across the state.
