Lateral Police Officer

Salary : $90,979.20 - $91,582.40 Annually
Location : Police Department, 112 1st St South, Great Falls, MT
Job Type: Regular Full Time
Job Number: 26-00088
Department: Police
Opening Date: 08/27/2026
Closing Date: 10/8/2026 5:00 PM Mountain
Union Classification: GFPPA Union


NATURE OF WORK
Responsible for providing law enforcement services by conducting field patrols of an assigned area of the city. Work is performed under the general direction of a Police Lieutenant, Sergeant or other supervisory employee.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF WORK

• Patrols assigned areas to observe, prevent or stop unlawful activities by issuing citations or making arrests.
• Responds to calls involving domestic disputes, rescue efforts, accident scenes, and potential criminal activity and determines the appropriate course of actions.
• Operates a radar unit to monitor traffic speeds and observes traffic violations; issues warnings or summons as appropriate.
• Provides technical assistance to less experienced patrol officers to ensure specific incidents and situations are handled efficiently and in a professional manner.
• Prepares and delivers formal presentations to schools and community groups on the services of the Police Department, crime prevention programs and related topics.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Must be a citizen of the United States
• Minimum of 18 years of age.
• High School diploma or equivalent certificate issued by the superintendent of public instruction, an appropriate issuing agency, another state or the federal government.
• Two years of experience in law enforcement.

NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be determined to be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation to include fingerprint submission and subject to criminal and traffic background check.
• No Convictions for which imprisonment could have occurred in a federal or state penitentiary.
• Ability to achieve POST certification within one year of date of hire or hold a valid Montana POST certificate or a POST certificate from another state qualifying for Montana reciprocity.
• Ability to achieve minimum qualifications with all duty weapons and non-lethal tools.
• Ability to pass a color vision test.
• Employee must possess or have the ability to obtain valid Montana driver's license.

REQUIREMENTS OF WORK

• Substantial knowledge of law enforcement practices, methods, procedures and standards.
• Considerable knowledge of the use and care of firearms and weapons.
• Considerable knowledge of arrest, rules of evidence and court procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, supervisors, other law enforcement and public safety personnel, and the general public.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Highly ethical
• Good moral character
• Willingness to work with the community
• Leadership
• Decision making
• Interpersonal and problem solving skills
• Communication skills

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position does not supervise staff.
WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and is occasionally exposed to wet, and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but can reach high levels on occasions. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
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, talk, hear, use hands and fingers to handle or operate objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms; possession of hand/eye coordination sufficient to operate various police equipment, firearms and a motor vehicle; the ability to talk and hear in person, by telephone or two-way radio; and the ability to see and read instructions and reports. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, taste and smell. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must occasionally push, pull, lift and/or carry more than 100 pounds.

1. Must be sufficiently agile to go from an extended seated position to standing or running position with ease.
2. Must be able to observe catastrophic events and still perform your duties effectively.
3. Must be able to work extended hours without breaks.
4. Must be able to work in extreme weather conditions in assigned required duty attire.
5. Vision abilities include close, distant, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus

EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

The work schedule varies depending on assigned shift, Sunday through Saturday. This position is non-exempt and is eligible for overtime. Any overtime must be authorized prior to working. Expected to work when assigned to weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, and overtime as required.
TRAVEL

Travel is primarily local during the business day. Occasional travel may be required to attend off-site training and educational opportunities.
Full-time Employee Benefits

The City of Great Falls offers a complete benefits package to our full-time employee including medical, dental, and vision insurance, retirement/pensions, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. The City offers life and long term disability insurance to all full-time non-union employees. Union employees receive longevity pay. Optional plans are available for employees, flexible spending account, and 457 deferred compensation accounts.

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