Kevin Winter of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office was among 24 graduates honored last week as they completed the Basic Telecommunicator Certification Course in Pierre. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, who served as the guest speaker, praised the graduates for their vital role in public safety.
“These telecommunicators provide an invaluable service during an emergency,” Jackley said. “When someone calls 911, these are the first voices you hear and the people who can provide the information necessary for first responders.”
The graduation marked the conclusion of a two-week intensive course, which included training in emergency call response, public safety telecommunications, and prioritizing incidents. Participants represented 13 law enforcement and communication centers statewide.
The program was led by the state Division of Criminal Investigation’s Office of Law Enforcement Training, experienced telecommunicators, and public safety experts.
