Mpd Police Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Overview POST-Certified: Previously attended and completed a law enforcement academy in the United States with certification still active. Training records and certifications will be required to submit to Montana POST for verification. POST-Certified Police Officer - Regular Full-Time position The Missoula Police Department (MPD) is actively seeking qualified candidates to join our team and help fulfill our mission of serving the City of Missoula.

With a current force of 118 sworn officers, we are dedicated to building a pool of eligible applicants to fill vacant positions as needed. To Apply: Submit a City of Missoula Application. Deadline for accepting applications is JUNE 14, 2026 @ 11:59 PM, MST.

The City of Missoula will not accept incomplete applications. It is in your best interest to review the accuracy of your application before submitting your application for consideration. No additional documents are required at the time of application and will not be forwarded to the Hiring Committee for review.

Please do not attach unrequested files to your applications. Resumes will not be reviewed. All details should be entered on the application.

If you have specific questions about the process and future interview scheduling, please contact Diana Dattilo with the Missoula Police Department at dattilod@ci.missoula.mt.us or by calling 406-552-6339. The Application and Pre-Screening Short Form may take up to a full hour or more to complete. The in-depth application process is part of the preparation for a background investigation for successful candidates

The Pre-Screening Short Form will ask a series of questions, most of which are about your past. In some cases, these past events may disqualify a candidate from employment, and in others, they may not. Remember that most people have things in their past they would prefer other people not to know.

MPD understands this may be a difficult and sometimes embarrassing process, but please do not make assumptions about circumstances you believe may disqualify you. Be honest and forthright, and let the hiring committee make that determination. All criminal justice agencies have different standards for hiring and employment.

For you to be successful in our hiring process you must be completely truthful in your answers. Let us evaluate your answers in light of our hiring standards. Any deliberate attempts to withhold information will result in your removal from the employment list.

Veterans Preference If you are seeking employment preference, please include those files when submitting your application materials. If you have specific questions regarding the application or need accommodation, please contact the HR Recruitment Specialist Emmalee Plenger at plengere@ci.missoula.mt.us or by calling 406-552-6136. Essential Functions Patrols an assigned area of the City on an assigned shift in a radio-equipped vehicle, on a bicycle, or on foot to preserve law and order, including traffic safety enforcement and citations

The following tasks are typically required of a Police Officer: 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 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 Minimum Requirements Under Montana State Statute 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. As part of a conditional offer of employment, must successfully complete MPAT, POST legal equivalency, POST DUI Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST) course, and 3 1/2 months of Field Training with MPD.

To be considered "POST-CERTIFIED," applicants must meet the following requirements by August 3, 2026, when conditional offers of employment will be made. A POST-certified (Lateral) Police Officer candidate is an applicant who has 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, earning officer confirmation status through at least one year of sworn law enforcement service 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 7-32-302. Please note, Final certification eligibility is reserved to the Montana POST Council. Additional requirement standards to become a Peace Officer in Montana refer to MCA (7-32-303) Some people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. The City of Missoula will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.