SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The Sioux Falls Police Department’s Public Information Officer Sam Clemens is a familiar face to KELOLAND viewers. He’s been in his role for 17 years, but he began his law enforcement career as a patrol officer with SFPD in 2000.
“Initially, I worked nights for a few years, transitioned to days, and then I became a training officer,” Clemens said. “I worked on the streets handling normal police calls for eight years.”
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Originally, the plan was to work as a detective behind the scenes. Clemens never imagined a job in front of a camera. But after the department’s PIO position opened up in 2008, he applied and later stepped into his new role.
“Once I kind of got into it and figured out what it was all about, I found that I really liked it. I really enjoyed it,” Clemens said. “That’s why I’ve stuck with it.”
“Sam Clemens is the voice of the Sioux Falls Police Department,” Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum said. “I think having that point and that connection is key for the public. That builds trust.”
Clemens leads daily police briefings, meeting with the media to answer questions about recent crimes.
But, that’s not all.
“If anything happens during the day, if there’s a big crime, big crash, I’ll respond to that, especially if there’s a lot of media that is present out there,” Clemens said. “I’ll go out there, get information from the people on scene, and then relay that to the reporters that are there.”
From training new officers to updating the department website, communication is a big part of his job.
“We’re responding to the public. So, we’re trying to be open and transparent. We’re trying not to hide behind anything,” Clemens said.
But later this month, the senior PIO is retiring from the department. His last day is June 27th, marking exactly 25 years and one day with Sioux Falls police.
“I don’t think it’s quite set in yet,” Clemens said. “But it’s going to happen. I mean, at some point it’s going to become real that I’m no longer at the police department.”
That means a new, but not unfamiliar face, will take over his role.
Sergeant Aaron Benson has more than two decades of experience with Sioux Falls police. Right now, he works in the property crimes and fraud sections. But, he’s looking forward to his new role as PIO.
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“It’s just important to maintain that transparency and to maintain that trust after Sam retires,” Benson said. “The public expects transparency from their police department, and that’s something that we’ve done really well.”
Benson told KELOLAND News he hopes to carry on that mission as PIO. The department also plans to continue its media briefings but with a few changes.
“There’s numerous other talking points that we can use this platform for to get important, timely messages out,” Chief Thum said. “I think a lot of times, for years, it’s been the police briefing, and we want to look almost on some more public safety, broad-ranging topics to make sure that people have awareness on those as well.”
As Clemens wraps up his career, he reflects on his time with the department and the people who shaped it.
“I’ve worked with countless people that I’ve drawn upon that helped me grow and become better,” Clemens said. “The big thing I think is that connection with the people that I’ve worked with for such a long time.”
Sioux Falls police briefings are livestreamed on the KELOLAND website every weekday morning at 10:30.
