Sioux Falls announces next police chief

Lt. Jon Thum has been named the next chief of police for Sioux Falls.

Thum has spent 16 years at the department, working as a field training officer, department training officer, sergeant, lieutenant and SWAT commander, providing him with “a high-level strategic perspective and expertise in the facets of law enforcement and community relations,” according to a city statement.

If the Sioux Falls City Council approves next month, he will replace retiring chief Matt Burns, whose last day is July 23.

“It is an incredible honor to be entrusted with this opportunity to lead this great department and to serve the community of Sioux Falls,” Thum said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to build strong and lasting relationships within the Sioux Falls Police Department, the city of Sioux Falls and across the community.”

Thum also helped lead the department’s response to civil unrest last summer, representing it at multiple public forums. In his prior role as patrol sergeant, he established relationships with neighborhood associations and community groups that formed the foundation for the department’s community outreach, the city said.

Thum holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Sioux Falls, where he also serves as an adjunct instructor. He grew up in Sioux Falls and live here with his wife and three children.

“Lt. Thum’s extensive law enforcement experience, genuine passion for public service and his dedication to the Sioux Falls Police Department will serve our city well in his new leadership role,” Mayor Paul TenHaken said in a statement. “As a Sioux Falls native, Lt. Thum is incredibly respected in our community and leads with a collaborative and inclusive approach. He will be a fantastic addition to our leadership team, and he is the right person to lead our police department forward.”