POST-Certified Police Officer

CITY OF MISSOULA; Missoula (MT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market-Competitive Salary

Work/life balance and flexible work

Health and dental coverage at $0 for员工

Retirement plan with City contribution

Job summary

City of Missoula is seeking a POST-certified police officer for a regular full-time position with the Missoula Police Department. The role requires certification through Montana POST or equivalent, with successful completion of MPAT and a path to officer confirmation status within the hiring timeline.

The essential functions include preventive patrol, response to incidents, crime prevention, and thorough documentation.

Qualifications

• Eighteen (18) years of age at the time of appointment.
• High School graduate or GED.
• Citizen of the United States of America.
• Acceptable results of a thorough background investigation.
• For all males 18 or older, registered with the Selective Service.

Responsibilities

• Checking businesses and residences.
• Discovering and preventing the commission of crimes.
• Enforcing state and municipal laws and ordinances.
• Responds to calls for assistance, including motor vehicle crashes, assaults, domestic disturbances, thefts, and other criminal or civil complaints.
• Intervenes in disputes and re-establishes law and order at the scene.
• Arrests suspects, makes arrests, issues citations.
• Coordinates with prosecutors and court staff to issue warrants and subpoenas, conduct pretrial research and dispositions, and prepare testimony.

Skills

Law enforcement knowledge

Investigation methods

Report writing

Communication

Interpersonal relations

Education

High School diploma or GED

POST Certification eligibility

Job description

POST-Certified Police Officer - Regular Full-Time position

• A POST-Certified completed a qualifying Peace Officer Basic Course through a federal, state, local, or U.S. military law enforcement agency, accumulated training and experience equivalent to the Montana POST Basic Course (minimum 512 hours).
• Candidates must also have:
• Successfully completed probation and earn officer confirmation status through at least one year of sworn law enforcement service by the final hiring decision date of February 5, 2027.
• Be in good standing with their current or former certifying agency.
• Served in a law enforcement capacity within the last five years, in accordance with MCA 7-32-303.
• Final certification eligibility is determined by the Montana POST Council.
• Peace Officer Employment, education, and Certificate Standards, MCA 7-32-303.

Montana Physical Abilities Test (MPAT) Requirement

• A valid Montana Physical Abilities Test (MPAT) score is required as part of the POST-Certified Officer selection process. Candidates are encouraged to complete the MPAT prior to their in-person interview. The Missoula Police Department will accept valid MPAT scores completed through other Montana law enforcement agencies. For candidates who complete the MPAT prior to their in-person interview, the MPAT score must be valid as of November 22, 2026. MPAT scores are valid for six months from the date of completion.
• Candidates who have completed a MPAT through another Montana law enforcement agency must contact the agency that administered the test and request that their official MPAT score be emailed directly to Diana Dattilo no later than 11:59 pm MST on November 22, 2026. MPAT scores submitted directly by applicants will not be accepted.
• Candidates who do not have a valid MPAT score by the time of their in-person interview will be required to complete the MPAT on the day of their in-person interview. Successful completion of the MPAT is required to continue in the hiring process.

Essential Functions

• Checking businesses and residences.
• Discovering and preventing the commission of crimes.
• Enforcing state and municipal laws and ordinances.
• Responds to calls for assistance, including motor vehicle crashes, assaults, domestic disturbances, thefts, and other criminal or civil complaints.
• Intervenes in disputes and re-establishes law and order at the scene.
• Frequently deals with DUI suspects/offenders, other intoxicated persons, and person with mental disorders and takes appropriate action.
• Identify items of evidence as well as properly collect and preserve noted items.
• Photograph any items needed during the course of the investigation.
• Identifies witnesses, conducts preliminary investigations.
• Cooperate with other members of both the patrol and detective divisions to effectively and collectively investigate criminal activity.
• Apprehends suspects, makes arrests, issues citations.
• Arrests persons with outstanding arrest warrants.
• Assure efforts to apprehend offenders are fully explored.
• Ensures that arrested persons are processed into jail in accordance with state and federal guidelines and Police Department standards.
• Prepares documentation of activities performed and information gathered.
• Shall follow up all complaints and cases assigned to them. They shall interview complainants and victims as soon as reasonably possible and obtain all available pertinent information.
• Coordinates with prosecutors and court staff to issue warrants and subpoenas, conduct pretrial research and dispositions, and prepare testimony.
• Responds to questions and requests from citizens; assists in making presentations.

This list does not include all of the duties that may be required of a police officer. Some positions serve as Bailiff, School Safety Officer, Special Team members, School Resource officers, Crime Prevention Officers, Motorcycle Officers, Field Training Officers, Firearms Instructors, and in other training/instructor positions; performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of the Montana Code Annotated and the Missoula Municipal Code pertaining to police activities and public safety.
• Knowledge of federal, state, county, and City of Missoula laws and ordinances to be enforced.
• Knowledge of the policies, goals, and procedures of the Missoula Police Department.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision and training.
• Knowledge of the law enforcement principles, methods, techniques, and practices including investigation, intelligence, surveillance, court procedures, community relations, identification, patrol, special weapons and tactics, traffic control, report preparation, custody of persons and property, and crime prevention.
• Knowledge of equipment used in law enforcement, including weaponry, communications, personal computers, and automotive equipment.
• Knowledge of the street names and locations in the City of Missoula and surrounding area.
• Skill in performing the day-to-day operations of a police officer.
• Skill in understanding and interpreting complex statutes, ordinances, regulations, standards, and guidelines.
• Skill in communicating, in person, in writing, and on two-way radio.
• Skill in preparing reports documenting the facts and actions regarding criminal and civil law enforcement incidents.
• Skill in conducting investigations of criminal activities.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City employees, other law enforcement agencies, criminal justice system staff, the business community, and citizens.

Qualifications And Additional Application Materials

• Eighteen (18) years of age at the time of appointment.
• High School graduate or GED.
• Successfully complete oral interviews and psychological and background investigation.
• Citizen of the United States of America.
• Acceptable results of a thorough background investigation.
• For all males 18 or older, registered with the Selective Service.
• Possessing a valid driver's license from their State of residence at the time of application AND have no restrictions or traffic infractions which would preclude obtaining a Montana driver's license immediately upon appointment.
• All Missoula City Police Officers must reside within 60 miles of the Missoula City limits at the start of employment. Reasonable exceptions may be considered upon request.
• Additional requirements standards to become a Peace Officer in Montana refer to MCA (7-32-303.
• As part of a conditional offer of employment, must successfully complete MPAT, POST-legal equivalency, POST DUI Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST) course, 4-week Advanced Academy (in-house), and 14-week Field Training and Evaluation Program.

The City of Missoula will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education and experience to meet minimum qualifications.

Benefits

• Market-Competitive Salary
• Work/life balance, including the possibility of flexible schedules and remote work opportunities
• $0 premium for health and dental coverage for employees and affordable premiums for family coverage
• $10,000 Employer-sponsored Accidental Death and Dismemberment Life Insurance Policy
• Options for supplemental life, disability, critical illness, and accident
• Constitutionally guaranteed retirement plan with the City contributing 8.77% of salary on your behalf and the ability to contribute to a supplemental deferred compensation program
• Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Pre-tax flexible spending accounts
• The City of Missoula may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Look here to learn more and understand whether you may be eligible.

Additional Benefits Package Information Is Available Here.