STURGIS, S.D. (KELO) — The Sturgis Police Department has a 21-member staff. During the rally, it becomes the third-largest police force in the state. Sioux Falls has 318 full-time employees, and Rapid City has 176.
The Sturgis rally officers, recruited from all over the country for ten days, are easily identified by their gray shirts
“We bring them in, they are essentially Sturgis Police Department Officers for the ten days of the rally, we pay them a wage, we outfit them and then we also feed them and put them up so they are our officers for the duration of the rally,” said Chief Geody VanDewater.
They work 12 hours on and 12 hours off for ten straight days. New officers are often recruited by those who have worked at the rally before. But not just anyone can qualify to work at the rally.
“Our biggest thing is they have to be currently active, working as a law enforcement officer currently certified in good standing with their departments, and they have to have permission to come from their department,” said Vandewater.
Along with the department’s patrol cars, four-man foot patrols will be walking the streets and interacting with people. In fact, it’s not unusual to see the chief himself out interacting with the rallygoers.
“The overall support for law enforcement not only for Sturgis but nationwide is very, very positive, and we appreciate that, said Vandewater. “So it’s nice to sit a visit with other people from other areas and also just learn about what they like, what makes them tick, and what brings them to the rally year after year.”
VandeWater looks forward to the rally every year but admits once it’s over, the peace and quiet of the real Sturgis is welcome.
