Police Officer

Police Officer

The City of Kalispell is establishing a hiring list for future openings.

Class Title: Police Officer

Department: Police Department

Union: Kalispell Police Association

Salary: $38.43 hour

Note: Recognized lateral transfer experience & incentive pay allows for higher compensation – Refer to "Lateral Transfer and Incentive Pay" section of this job description for more details.

Benefits: 100% paid health insurance for employee & reduced rates for dependents. State retirement plan, 3-weeks' vacation, paid sick leave, 10 State and Federal holidays. This position may be participating in a *VEBA program.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Last Revised: August 12, 2026

Rejection Criteria: Before applying, refer to the "Rejection Criteria" at end of job description to see if you may qualify!

Questionnaire, Testing & Initial Interview Schedule: A completed City of Kalispell application must be submitted by 4:00 pm September 25, 2026. City of Kalispell Application. Testing (MPAT/Written) will be offered on October 7, 2026, for the written and physical test. Testing will start promptly at 9 am, 155 Shady Lane Kalispell MT 59901. Interviews will be scheduled for those who pass the testing and are selected for board interviews. Interviews will take place on October 8. Applicant Background Packet is due at the time of testing. All applicants are welcome to take the test.

Notice: Because the practical portion of the test is considered physically strenuous, it is strongly recommended you consult a physician prior to testing! All documents, including but not limited to; certificates, including certified birth certificates & transcripts, used in considering the candidate will not be returned to the applicant.

General Class Description: Performs police patrol, investigation, traffic regulation, and related law enforcement activities.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities: Patrol & Investigative Duties 90%:

• Work on rotating shifts performing security patrols, traffic control/enforcement, investigation and first aid at accidents, detection, investigation, and arrest of persons involved in crimes or misconduct.
• Work an assigned shift using judgment in deciding course of action. Expected to handle difficult and emergency situations without assistance.
• Maintain normal availability by radio or telephone for consultation on major emergencies or precedent.
• Carry out duties in conformance with Federal, State, County, and City laws, ordinances, and policies;
• Respond to emergency radio calls and investigates accidents, robberies, civil disturbances, domestic disputes, fights, drunkenness, missing children, prowlers, abuse of drugs, etc. Takes appropriate law enforcement action.
• Interrogate/interview suspects and witnesses.
• Recognize, preserve, and document evidence.
• Prepare cases and testify in court proceedings.
• Prepare a variety of reports and records including, but not limited to: investigation, arrest and accident reports.
• Undertake community-oriented police work and assist citizens with such matters as locked or stalled vehicles, crime prevention, drug abuse education and traffic safety.
• Coordinate activities with other officers and/or other City departments as needed. Exchange information with other law enforcement agencies, and obtain advice from the City Attorney, Judges, and Municipal Prosecutor's Office regarding cases, policies and procedures.
• Maintain contact with police supervisory personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provide mutual assistance during emergency situations and provide general information about Department activities.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Peripheral Duties 10%:
• Maintain departmental equipment, supplies and facilities.
• Maintain contact with general public, court officials, and other City officials in the performance of police operating activities.
• Serve as a member of various employee committees.

Supervision Received: Work under the general supervision of a Police Sergeant.

Supervision Exercised: None.

Qualifications: Entry Level (Minimal): Must be 18 years or older. Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid State driver's license; applicants driving history will be taken into consideration. U.S. citizen; High school diploma or equivalent; Must be able to read and write the English language; Must be of good moral character and of temperate and industrious habits.

Preferred Education and Experience, but not required: A two-year or greater college degree, or; An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Lateral Transfers & Incentive Pay: Employees who come to work for the Kalispell Police Department after having worked as a sworn peace officer for another law enforcement agency with largely equivalent responsibilities and hold a current Basic Law Enforcement Certification that would be recognized by Montana POST, shall have experience recognized on the pay matrix as follows: Years worked at other agencies will be acknowledged on a 2 for 1 basis up to a recognition of 20 full years' experience. (Example 1: An officer with 20 years' experience will be placed at a step 11 - $43.79) (Example 2: An officer with 10 years' experience will be placed at step 6 - $41.03).

Advanced Education Incentive: Employees possessing an Associate's of Arts/Sciences degree: $10/pay period. Employees possessing a Bachelor of Arts/Sciences degree: $20/pay period. Employees possessing a Master's degree: $30/pay period.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSA): Some knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment; Skilled in basic computer operation and office equipment; Ability to learn operation of electronic equipment used in law enforcement; Ability to learn the applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules and regulations; Ability to perform work requiring good physical condition; Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers, and supervisors; Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions under stressful, sometimes life-threatening situations; Ability to follow verbal and written instructions; Ability to meet the special requirements listed below; Ability to learn the City's geography.

Special Requirements: Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid State Driver's License without record of suspension or revocation in any state; Ability to meet Department's and States physical standards. Ability to adhere to the Kalispell Police Department's Tattoo/Body Piercing Policy.

Tools and Equipment Used: Police car, police radio, radar gun, handgun and other weapons as required, baton, handcuffs, breathalyzer, pager, computer, electronic devices and first aid equipment.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk, hear or smell. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, run; engage in physical confrontation. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside (sometimes severe) weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and with explosives and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, vibration and at times in hostile environments. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Selection Guidelines: Formal application; review of education and experience; appropriate P.O.S.T. testing including written and physical agility test; oral interview; thorough criminal background check, examination of credit/financial reports and final selection. Note: Applicants will not be informed as to any results of interviews, and background checks.

Note: Incomplete applications or failure to provide required documentation may be grounds for rejection/disqualification.

Kalispell is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to