Reserve Officer

Reserve Police Officer - Regular Intermittent Position

The Missoula Police Department is seeking motivated individuals to serve as Reserve Officers, providing courtroom bailiff duties for Municipal Court and security at City Council meetings. This flexible, part-time role offers hands-on law enforcement experience while accommodating school, work, and life schedules.

Details: Deadline for completing the application is Sunday, October 4, 2026, 11:59 PM MST Online Written Examination Requirement

Applicants for the Reserve Officer position must first submit a City of Missoula Application. After application is submitted, eligible candidates will be advanced to the next step in the selection process. Candidates who move forward will receive instructions regarding the required online written examination through the agency's designated testing provider. The testing provider will contact candidates directly to schedule the examination.

Candidates should be aware that completion of the online written examination requires payment of $25 testing fee, which is paid directly to the testing provider prior to testing. For complete details regarding the hiring process, testing dates and requirements, timelines, and other important candidate information, applicants should review the Reserve Officer employment webpage on the Missoula Police Department's website.

Montana Physical Abilities Test (MPAT) Requirement

A valid Montana Physical Abilities Test (MPAT) score is required as part of the Reserve 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 December 13, 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 December 13, 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.

For complete MPAT requirements, submission instructions, deadlines, and testing information, applicant should review the Reserve Officer Employment webpage on the Missoula Police Department website.

The City of Missoula will not accept incomplete or late 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 application.

Cover Letters and 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 View email address on click.appcast.io or by calling View phone number on click.appcast.io.

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 applicable documentation (i.e. DD214) 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 View email address on click.appcast.io or by calling View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Essential Functions

• Maintain a safe environment in the City of Missoula Municipal Courtrooms and offices.
• Be present during Temporary Order of Protection (TOP) hearings and in the courtroom for any trials or court proceedings, as requested by the judge.
• Transport persons to and from the court and jail, as ordered by the judge.
• Supervise any prisoners in the court.
• Enforce the law and court rules of behavior within the court, as directed by the judge.
• Monitor the court for general safety issues and notify the judge of any problems.
• Secure any unauthorized weapons brought into the court.
• Supervise jurors; guard sequestered jury, include being the point of contact for the jury while it is sequestered and escort the jury outside the court, if required.
• Administer a preliminary breath test (PBT) for alcohol, as directed by the judge.
• Provide support to the court in locating necessary documentation from the police department.
• Assist the court with corrections to citations and other various documents.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of or the ability to learn law enforcement principles, methods, and practices, including investigation, intelligence, surveillance, community relations, identification, patrol, special weapons and tactics, traffic control, records management, report preparation, custody of persons and property, crime prevention, etc.
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn general court proceedings, including rules of behavior and other enforceable laws and procedures.
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn the principles and practices of juror management, including sequester guidelines, etc.
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn the equipment used in law enforcement, including weaponry, communications, automotive equipment, etc.
• Knowledge of and ability to promote and ensure compliance with department safety considerations and City safety policies.
• Skill in utilizing various computer software and databases, including Microsoft 365, and the ability to learn job-specific applications and equipment.
• Skill in professionally and sensitively serving distressed citizens.
• Skill in preparing reports documenting the facts and actions regarding criminal and civil law enforcement incidents.
• Skill in negotiating and communicating, in person, over two-way radios, and in writing, with the proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse individuals.
• Ability to maintain and exhibit integrity and discretion in handling the confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to maintain and foster a culture of professionalism, adhere to departmental and City standards and specifications, and support a positive team environment.
• Ability to resolve conflicts with facilitating outcomes while maintaining a calm demeanor.
• Ability to learn, interpret, and apply departmental and City of Missoula practices and procedures, including Missoula Municipal Code, Montana Code Annotated, and other federal, state, and local ordinances and regulations related to police activities, public safety, and court proceedings.

Working Conditions:

• Position may require overtime hours, as needed.

Qualifications and Additional Application Materials

• Must have resided in the state continuously for at least 1 year prior to the appointment and in the county where the appointment is made for a period of at least 6 months prior to the date of the appointment.
• Must be a citizen of the United States.
• Must be eighteen (18) years of age.
• Must be a graduate of an accredited high school, or equivalent.
• Must have a valid Montana driver's license with a verified acceptable driving record, or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Successfully complete written testing, physical testing, oral interviews, psychological and background investigation, medical and eye exam, and drug screen.
• Must meet all additional requirement standards for becoming a Reserve Officer. (7-32-213, MCA )
• As part of a conditional offer of employment, must successfully complete the MPAT, Conditional Offer of Employment appointments (physical exam, eye, psychological exam, and drug screen), 4-week advanced Academy (in-house), and modified Field Training and Evaluation Program.

Some