Sioux Falls Police

Week 7 of recruit training is complete. The recruits again had a full schedule including self-defense training, Animal Control, scenarios, vehicle operations, working with shelters and the Link.

We would like to thank the public for their help in our investigation into McKenna Wendel's disappearance. It’s with great sadness that we report McKenna has been found, deceased. The investigation continues. The public is not in danger. More information to be released on Monday.

The SFPD and Animal Control are aware of a mountain lion sighting in the greenway area of downtown this morning. AC and GFP are working to track the animal. Please be aware of your surroundings and report any sighting at 367-7000 or call 911 if it's an emergency.

Law enforcement is a community. Yesterday, the South Dakota Highway Patrol had to lay to rest active Police Service Dog Drago as he experienced some sudden, serious, health issues. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his handler. (Photo from SDHP) K9s /802

We are asking for the public’s help in finding McKenna Wendel. McKenna is a 14 year old Native American female, 5’2”, 98 lbs and has dark brown hair with a teal streak on one side and has brown eyes. She has been missing since 3/13/26. Call 605-367-7000 if you have any info.

Our officers were busy during Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, making 5 DWI arrests. In one case, a driver recorded a PBT result over 4× the legal limit. If you drink, don’t drive. Plan a sober ride home. #SFPDProjectZero

During week 6 of training, recruit officers worked through different scenarios, K9 searches, more firearms training, and learned about Child Protection Services and working with the Mobile Crisis Team. There are still a couple more weeks of in-house training left!

Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day weekend, but celebrate responsibly. Plan a ride, don’t drink and drive, and don’t press your luck—St. Patrick won’t save you from impaired driving. #SFPDProjectZero

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be on Phillips Ave between 6th Street and 13th Street on Saturday afternoon. Staging closures start at 12:30 p.m. Route closures at 1:15 p.m. Parade begins 2:00 p.m. Streets reopen by 4:00 p.m. Plan ahead and use alternate routes.

In February, the Traffic Section made 66 DWI-related arrests, with 95 total DWI-related arrests made across the department. Driving impaired isn’t worth it. It can cost you thousands of dollars and, more importantly, it could cost a life. #SFPDProjectZero /802

Week 5 of recruit training this past week had the recruit officers on the range for rifle training, learning about building searches, and more classroom topics. /713

The subject has been taken into custody and 26th Street has reopened to normal traffic. Thank you for your cooperation. /737

Due to an investigation involving a barricaded subject, East 26th Street is closed between South Judy Avenue and South Sycamore Avenue. Please avoid the area until further notice. /737

The recruit training resumed this week after graduation from the State Academy. Week 4 had various detectives cover different specialties like crime scene investigations, domestic violence, robberies, narcotics, and many others. /713

The intersection has been reopened to normal traffic. Thank you for your cooperation. /737

Due to a traffic accident investigation, the intersection of W. 49th Street and S. Marion Road is closed until further notice. Please avoid the area and use an alternate route. /737

Joel Takenalive returned home and is safe. Thank you for all the calls and tips that aided us in our investigation.

🚨We are working diligently on locating Joel. While we greatly appreciate our communities willingness to help with the search, we are planning a search with a dog that will require people stay out of the area. Unnecessary disturbance to the search area may hamper our efforts.🚨

Please see the updated photos of missing child, Joel Takenalive. Please contact 605-367-7000 with any information about Joel's whereabouts. See previous post for additional details. Thank you for the tips up to this point. Joel is considered endangered due to age and weather.

We are asking for the public’s help locating 10 year-old Joel Takenalive. He is 4'6", 85 pounds, Native American, and was last seen wearing an orange shirt with red/white shoes. Last seen in the 700 block of S. Regal Pl. around 1:10 AM. Contact (605)367-7000 with information.