Police Officer

Police Officer

The Bozeman Police Department is now hiring Police Officers dedicated to protecting life and property, preserving public peace, and preventing crime through integrity, professionalism, and service. Officers play a vital role in building strong relationships throughout the community, engaging with residents and local partners, and taking a proactive approach to identifying and addressing issues before they become larger problems. This is an opportunity to serve a growing community while combining sound judgment, compassion, and effective law enforcement to enhance public safety and strengthen trust between the Department and the people it serves.

Our hiring process will begin with phone interviews on or around the week of October 26th, 2026. The next step of the process is scheduled to be held in Bozeman, Montana the week of November 30th - December 4th, 2026.

Bargaining Unit: Bozeman Police Protective Association (BPPA) Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Non-Exempt Work Week: Shift Work - Varies (work week consists of four, 10-hour shifts) Anticipated Start Date: April 2nd, 2026 Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

• Enforces all local, State, and Federal laws within the jurisdiction of the City in coordination with other Police Departments in surrounding jurisdictions;
• Provides information and assistance to motorists, pedestrians, and the general public as it relates to law enforcement functions;
• Patrols all assigned areas, monitors activity to identify violations of applicable law, and takes appropriate actions to deal with the situation, including making arrests and charging suspects, issuing citations, issuing written warnings, or rectifying situations through a dialogue with all parties involved as warranted;
• Maintains a highly visible presence within the community for the purpose of deterring crime, maintaining good community relations, and providing an identifiable source for citizen assistance, guidance, protection, and service;
• Evaluates the need to advise suspects of their constitutional rights and advises all arrested individuals as required;
• Enforces all traffic laws and issues warnings or takes enforcement action for violations;
• Responds to calls and/or complaints from citizens, takes statements from all parties involved, identifies any violations, and determines appropriate action as situations warrant;
• Communicates with other officers and supervisors as needed;
• Investigates misdemeanor crimes and traffic crashes and takes appropriate enforcement action as warranted;
• Performs residential and business security checks;
• Provides emergency medical attention to citizens when responding to calls for assistance;
• Maintains all appropriate reports and records of criminal and arrest activity for use in both documentation and prosecution and gives testimony in open court;
• Collects evidence at crime scenes and interviews witnesses;
• Assess and make decisions regarding the reasonable use of less-lethal or lethal force;
• Maintains security and possession of a firearm and related equipment at all times;
• Monitors an assigned area in order to prevent crime, traffic violations, and crashes, including stopping motorists for vehicle maintenance violations, and/or unsafe, illegal, or suspicious actions as necessary;
• Apprehends individuals suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and administers appropriate tests as required;
• Protects and secures crash, disaster, and crime scenes to ensure the preservation of evidence for investigation and protection of persons and property;
• Responds to burglar alarms, armed robberies, assaults, other crimes in progress, and general calls for police assistance;
• Conducts investigations of criminal complaints and other deceptive practices, including collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, appearing and testifying in court, and applying and serving search and arrest warrants as necessary;
• Locates and processes stolen vehicles;
• Provides assistance to motorists with inoperable vehicles and arranges for the immediate removal of stranded vehicles to ensure public safety;
• Responds to civil and disturbance of the peace calls, and takes appropriate action to ensure public safety, including communicating with emotionally disturbed persons and restraining uncooperative individuals;
• Prepares complete and accurate reports on all arrests, citations, warnings, and other enforcement activities as required;
• Appears and testifies in court as required;
• Acts as a liaison between the Police Department and the news media, local organizations, schools, and the general public to ensure effective working relationships and positive public relations, including working with other local civic groups to educate the general public on issues such as public health, child safety, traffic safety, and anti-drug and violence campaigns;
• Addresses citizens' complaints or concerns regarding significant and/or controversial issues, and takes appropriate measures to ensure an expedient resolution or citizen satisfaction;
• Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of law enforcement;
• Oversees the use and care of equipment as required;
• Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions;
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas;
• Responds to citizens' questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities;
• Performs other duties consistent with the role and function of this classification.

Minimum Required Qualifications

In order to be considered for a position with the City of Bozeman Police Department as a Probationary Police Officer, applicants must meet the minimum following qualifications:

• Probationary Police Officer
  • Must be 18 years of age and a U.S. Citizen;
  • Possess a valid Class D Driver's License and obtain a Montana Driver's License within 60 days;
  • Demonstrated ability to pass the Department's written exam, oral boards, and designated physical and psychological tests;
  • Ability to pass a drug test;
  • Ability to pass a background check;
  • Must not have been convicted of a crime for which the person could have been imprisoned in a federal or state penitentiary.
  • Be fingerprinted and a search made of the local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.
  • Good moral character as defined by the Department's established regulations;
  • As a condition of continued employment, must:
    1. Maintain ability to lawfully possess a firearm;
    2. Maintain ability to provide credible testimony in a court of law.
• Confirmed Police Officer
  • Must meet the requirements of a probationary police officer as prescribed by state law;
  • At least one (1) year of service with the Bozeman Police Department;
  • Possess POST Basic Certification;
  • Maintain satisfactory performance appraisals;
  • Satisfactory completion of the MLEA Basic or equivalent and Bozeman Police Department FTO program.
• Entry Level: High School Diploma or GED; and Some previous law enforcement experience preferred; or Any combination of experience and training which provides the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.
• Lateral Transfer
  • High School Diploma or GED; and
  • Current/valid Montana or transferable POST law enforcement basic certificate at the time of hire; Officers holding a current/valid Montana POST Law Enforcement Basic Certificate do NOT have to attend the basic law enforcement academy; All certified law enforcement officers from outside the State of Montana must take and pass the State of Montana Police Officer Equivalency Examination administered by the MLEA; Completion of a law enforcement officer basic course; and At least one year of experience in law enforcement including successful completion of a one-year probationary period.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Substantial knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws governing police activities and operations, including all related criminal and civil laws and ordinances;
• Substantial knowledge of the Department's policy, protocols and practices;