POST-Certified Police Officer

Overview POST-Certified Police Officer - Regular Full-Time position

• A POST-Certified 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 and earn officer confirmation status through at least one year of sworn law enforcement service by the final hiring decision date of February 5, 2027.
• 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 7-32-303
• Final certification eligibility is determined by the Montana POST Council.
• Peace Officer Employment, education, and Certificate Standards, MCA 7-32-303

• A POST-Certified 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:

• A valid Montana Physical Abilities Test (MPAT) score is required as part of the POST-Certified 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 November 22, 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 November 22, 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, and deadline information, applicants should refer to the MPD's POST-Certified Officer Employment webpage.

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.

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…