The jail in Pennington County, South Dakota. Photo from Pennington County
Pennington County Sheriff’s candid conversation with Native Sun News
By Richie Richards
Native Sun News Staff Writer RAPID CITY –– The Pennington County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) is well aware of the fact there is a lack of Native American staffing in the jail and on the patrol unit. They would like to make a concerted effort to dispel some of the rumors, myths and untruths about their department and commitment to the community. There are four divisions in the PCSD including; jail, law enforcement, Juvenile Services Center (JSC), and city/county alcohol and drug programs. Kevin Thom is Sheriff of Pennington County; his term expires on 12/31/18. Chief Deputy Brian Mueller oversees the jail and JSC. While, Chief Deputy Willie Whelchel supervises city/county drug alcohol programs and law enforcement. Currently of the 372 total staff, 13 are Native Americans by self-identification in the PCSD; none of those are deputies or employed as correctional officers. They work in other areas including nursing, booking, volunteers, and other support services within the department. The Pennington County Jail has 624 beds available for inmates either serving a sentence, awaiting trial results, and for delinquent child support cases. According to the PCSD annual report for 2014, the average daily inmate population for all forms of detention was 509.42. 50 percent of those inmates were Native American throughout the year. In 2014, there were a total of 134 inmates serving time for child support delinquency. There was an average of 13.51 child support inmates per day during the year. On average during this same period, the population of pre-sentencing inmates was 72 percent, while 28 percent had been serving sentences for their cases. In recent years, the work release program has been revamped as well as an electronic monitoring system (ankle bracelets) which allows inmates serving time for child support, to live in a separate housing unit. They are given two weeks to find a job. Eventually, some of these child support inmates are allowed to return home to live while being monitored through GPS until warrants are paid off. This system is effective as men and women catching up on child support payments though paying $6 per day for the program, get to live at home and continue to contribute to their household, i.e. rent payments, food costs, gas for vehicles, and expenses related to continuing a productive livelihood. The inmates working off child support delinquency while living at home are allowed some flexibility during the program; as they are given 90 minutes before and after work for errands and day-to-day needs. The PCSD stand firm as they have a zero tolerance policy for the contravention of these rules. The Pennington County Sheriff’s Department recognizes the need for Native American staffing in their multiple departments. They also acknowledge the disproportionate numbers of inmates versus the roughly 12 percent total population of tribal members living in Rapid City. This is a clear problem in Rapid City; which due to recent events and historically recurring occasions between law enforcement and tribal members, has many in the Native American community asking for change. This idea of removing the fence of distrust for law enforcement by Natives is quickly being applauded by the countless organizations working tirelessly to dispel myths and stereotypes of these traditionally opposing camps. One such group wishing to bring relations to a mutual commendation and understanding is the Pennington County Sheriff’s Department. On Wednesday, April 1, Native Sun News interviewed both Sheriff Kevin Thom and Chief Deputy Brian Mueller regarding this community request for more Native American staffing in the jail and in the department. Sheriff Thom and Deputy Mueller were more than candid and open to examining the issues, discussing solutions, and making a call for Native American input in regards to inmates concerns, employment opportunities, and better servitude to a community suspicious of law enforcement activities. Mueller when asked about recruitment efforts, “We are always looking for good, qualified staff for the Sheriff’s Department. We are actively looking to recruit Native American employees at this time.” Regarding retention of Native staff he said, “Many of our Native American employees have moved on to federal positions, the FBI, and some have decided to move with their families back to the reservation and become tribal police.” Sheriff Thom pleaded, “We are looking for help in bringing in Native American staff. We are asking anyone who may have suggestions or answers to please contact us. We want our staff to reflect the population in Rapid City.” The Chief Deputy spoke about the process of applying for a job with PCSD; having a criminal history does not always disqualify a person from eligibility. Along with the normal physical and mental health checks, an applicant will go through background checks in criminal, professional, and credit history. These will be examined on a case by case basis and if a person is found to be taking steps to better these situations, it will increase their chances of employment. The process for application takes about 2 months; law enforcement hires three times per year and corrections five times. Chief Deputy Mueller offered Native Sun News the opportunity to do a ride-along with a deputy on patrol in Rapid City during an evening shift as well as a tour of the jail and programs within. We will publish the results of those visits in next week’s issue. (See next week’s Native Sun News “Ride-a-Long”) (Contact Richie Richards at staffwriter@nsweekly.com)
Related Stories
Native Sun News: Excessive
force used in death of Lakota man (04/02) Court allows Oglala Sioux parents to sue officer for son's death (03/16) Copyright permission Native Sun News
Join the Conversation
