The Legislature finds that the administration of criminal justice is of state-wide concern, and that law enforcement work is important to the health, safety, and welfare of the people of this state and is of such a nature as to require education and training of a professional character. It is in the public interest that such education and training be made available to persons who seek to become law enforcement officers, persons who are serving as such officers in a temporary or probationary capacity, and persons already in regular service.
SDCL 23-3-26