Law enforcement agencies work to boost officer numbers, especially ahead of Sturgis

STURGIS, S.D. — Only a few weeks ahead of the 81st Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the city is already seeing an influx in visitors – prompting law enforcement to increase coverage.

The streets of Sturgis are already becoming packed with tourists and bikers making their way west for the summer.

And with that increase, Meade County law enforcement is working to bolster their workforce ahead of the Rally.

“So Meade County has a population of 29,000 people roughly. And so, the 10 days of the Rally, we’re at three quarters of a million people, so obviously there’s a different need there for coverage. So, every year during the Rally, we do hire some extra law enforcement to help augment our staff and get us through that period,” said Ron Merwin, Meade County Sheriff.

But Sturgis isn’t the only city in need of additional law enforcement officers.

The City of Faith has struggled with keeping a police chief, and has gone through a number of different faces in the past 10 years.

Currently without a chief, the city has been trying to hire – but has not had the resources to garner interest in the position.

“We have had conversations about trying to team up and make a little better package, so to speak, and maybe they can attract someone up there to become their police chief. And also help us out as far as covering that end of the county,” Sheriff Merwin sai

There’s currently no deadline for when the package will be completed – but the department is already looking for new hires.