Former Mellette County Sheriff Mike Blom will not regain his South Dakota law enforcement certification after the Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to deny his request.
Blom’s certification was revoked in 2024 after investigators found he allowed a woman on probation—whom he was in a relationship with—to drink alcohol in his presence, violating the terms of her probation. He also failed to report a domestic violence incident involving a couple riding in his patrol vehicle.
Blom told the commission he regrets his actions and said some residents have encouraged him to run for a fourth term as sheriff, but he stepped down after being restricted to administrative duties. The Mellette County Commission later appointed Lafe Gildemaster as sheriff.
The commission spent about eight minutes in executive session before voting 9–0 to reject Blom’s application. Six other applicants with lapsed credentials were reinstated.
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