Isn’t it Lovely to Live a Life of Service? Special Guest: Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum
“So that’s where we need to just be open and say…who is meeting us at the table here to talk about these issues and how are we doing different things instead of just waiting to do the same thing and expect a different result.”
Make way for BIG Tracy and Rachel energy in this episode as they are completely honored and wildly enthused to be joined by Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum. Chief Thum brings his signature character and integrity to the conversation as he discusses a worldview and a law enforcement approach that is both empathetic and respectful and one that seeks to restore dignity of all parties involved. Along the way he emphasizes the importance of bridge-building among the city’s many communities, agencies, and leaders and commends Sioux Falls as being a leader in such collaboration. Tracy and Rachel learn that the road to becoming chief of police does not, in fact, involve the use of campaign yard signs, while Chief Thum reminds Rachel of their shared past in middle school youth ministry. While promoting Novem-burn, the city’s fundraiser and awareness campaign for Operation Hope, Chief Thum acknowledges the timeless fashion influence of Beverly Hills 90210 on his own personal look and reveals the fateful day his signature sideburns were bested by his grandmother and a pair of clippers. He also explains how a past stint as the University of Sioux Falls Choir Chaplain led to a devotional about which light to follow, an anecdote that points back to his own decision to change course from an early career in business to pursue a calling to a life of service. Lastly, Chief Thum and Tracy feel kinship over their shared love of Mexican food and Rachel and Tracy unabashedly and, of course, enthusiastically invite Chief Thum back to a be a regular guest.
Episode Mentions:
Photo Courtesy of Alamy Stock Photo, via USA Today, March 7, 2019
Chief Jonathan Thum started his career with the Sioux Falls Police Department (SFPD) as a Patrol Officer in 2005. In his sixteen-year SFPD career he has worked as a Field Training Officer, Department Training Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant and SWAT commander, and appointed Chief in July of 2021. His experiences provide him with a high-level strategic perspective and expertise in the facets of law enforcement and community relations. Thum helped lead the department’s response to the civil unrest during summer 2020 and also has represented SFPD in many community forums designed to engage residents in constructive dialogue. In his prior role as Patrol Sergeant he established relationships with neighborhood associations and community groups that formed the foundation for SFPD’s community outreach. He was awarded the Chief Clark Quiring Award for Excellence in 2020, VFW Officer of the Year recognition in 2017 and Shift Commendation Medal in 2016. Thum also earned a Unit Citation in 2020 for his leadership in the department's civil disturbance response. Thum holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Sioux Falls, where he also serves as an adjunct instructor. Thum was raised in Sioux Falls and resides there with his wife and three children.