Happy People Everywhere: Rapid City's Holistic Approach to Staff Morale and Agency Effectiveness

Monday, October 21, 2024

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET

Location: 205A

Submitter and Speaker(s)

Jeremy Kommel-Bernstein

Policy Analyst
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Speaker(s)

Alexcia Kalal

Recruitment Manager
Rapid City (SD) Police Department
Rapid City, South Dakota, United States
Dave E. Kinser, D.B.A.

Research and Development Specialist
Rapid City Police Department
SD, South Dakota, United States
Amanda Lee

Administration Operations Manager
Rapid City (SD) Police Department
Rapid City, South Dakota, United States
Scott Sitts

Assistant Chief of Police
Rapid City (SD) Police Department
Rapid City, South Dakota, United States

At the start of 2023, Rapid City Police Department (RCPD) had 35 vacancies in an agency of fewer than 150 officers; by the end of the year, they were down to just 8. This was achieved with a combination of federal grant funds; support from city leaders; and innovative practices that focused on helping officers feel a sense of pride and ownership in their work, reducing law enforcement involvement in calls that are not related to crimes, and emphasizing the mental and physical health and well-being of staff across the agency. Morale improved across the agency, reducing veteran turnover. Key personnel behind these efforts, including those in executive leadership, grants, human resources, and recruiting positions, will discuss their roles, as well as the grant programs that were used to fund or support many of RCPD’s efforts.