The South Dakota Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission unanimously voted Tuesday (April 16, 2024) to revoke the law enforcement certification of Mellette County Sheriff Mike Blom for conduct unbecoming of a law enforcement officer. The revocation is effective immediately.
The Commission indicated that evidence presented to them showed Blom had been in a romantic relationship with a woman who was on supervised probation for Possession of a Controlled Substance, methamphetamine. One of the conditions of her probation was that she not consume alcoholic beverages or enter establishments where alcohol was the primary item for sale.
The Commission also says Blom and the woman, accompanied by another couple, were found to have entered several bars in different towns on or about Nov. 11, 2023. Blom purchased alcohol for the woman, despite Blom knowing this was a violation of the Court-ordered probation conditions. On the same night, the other couple became involved in an assault while Blom was driving his vehicle. Blom did not take appropriate action or report the assault to law enforcement. When Blom was questioned about all of the night’s activities, he was dishonest with a South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation investigator.
The Commission’s action does not remove Blom from office, but it does leave him without any law enforcement powers or authorities.
Blom can appeal the Commission’s decision to a circuit court, if he so chooses.
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