Police Officer

Bozeman, City of•Public Safety Center, MT

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Bozeman Police Department is now hiring Police Officers dedicated to protecting life and property, preserving public peace, and preventing crime by enforcing Federal, State, and local laws with integrity and professionalism. Our hiring process will begin with phone interviews the week of July 27th, 2026. The next step of the process is scheduled to be held in Bozeman, MT, the week of September 14th – 18th, 2026. Testing will consist of the following: The Montana Physical Abilities Test for invited applicants will be held on the morning of Monday, September 14th, 2026 in Bozeman. Initial oral interviews and practical exercises for applicants who successfully pass the written AND physical abilities exams will be held from Monday, September 14th, 2026 – Wednesday, September 16th, 2026. An additional oral interview for successful applicants will be held on Thursday, September 17th, 2026. Entry and lateral level applicants who successfully pass the above phases may be offered a conditional job. The background process, psychological testing, and medical evaluations have been scheduled to begin on Friday, September 18th, 2026 to complete all of the testing. Bargaining Unit: Bozeman Police Protective Association (BPPA) Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Non-Exempt Work Week: Shift Work – Varies (workweek consists of four, 10-hour shifts) Anticipated Start Date: December 11th, 2026

Requirements

Entry Level: High School Diploma or GED
Some previous law enforcement experience preferred
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
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
At least one year of experience in law enforcement including successful completion of a one-year probationary period.
Be a citizen of the United States.
Be at least 18 years of age.
Be fingerprinted and a search made of the local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.
Must not have been convicted of a crime for which the person could have been imprisoned in a federal or state penitentiary.
Be of good moral character and conduct personal life above reproach as determined by a thorough background investigation.
Be a high school graduate or possess a G.E.D. certificate.
Possess or be eligible to obtain a Montana driver’s license at time of hiring.
Be of sound physical and mental health.
Must successfully pass the written examination and Montana Physical Abilities Test conducted by the Bozeman Police Department.
Must successfully pass oral interviews and additional testing on April 13th – 17th, 2026 to demonstrate the possession of communication skills, temperament, motivation, and other characteristics necessary to the accomplishment of the duties and functions of a peace officer
Must be certified or eligible to be certifiable by the Montana Public Safety Officer Standards and Training Advisory Council (POST) as a full-time or part-time peace officer.
Must maintain ability to lawfully possess a firearm.
Must maintain ability to provide credible testimony in a court of law.
Employment offers are conditional based upon satisfactory responses to job-related medical, hearing, vision, psychological examinations, an extensive background investigation, and possibly a drug test.
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
Substantial knowledge of crime prevention and law enforcement, including investigation and identification, patrolling, traffic control, records management, and care and custody of persons and property
Substantial knowledge of the functions and objectives of Federal, State, and City law enforcement agencies as applicable to community law enforcement, particularly with reference to apprehension, arrest, search and seizure, evidence and records maintenance, and traffic control
Substantial knowledge of tactical response and rescue operations
Substantial knowledge of court procedures and practices
Substantial knowledge of all required law enforcement equipment, weapons, and emergency vehicles
Substantial knowledge of the principles and practices of safe driving
Substantial knowledge of first aid and personnel safety procedures
Ability to maintain a calm and controlled demeanor in life threatening and/or emergency situations
Ability to identify and respond to community and law enforcement issues, concerns, and needs
Ability to exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing needs and situations
Ability to efficiently perform forensic examinations, criminal investigations, and other related police and public safety functions and activities
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, other law enforcement personnel, emergency response, court personnel, medical and legal professionals, other government employees, media representatives and the general public
Ability to safely and efficiently operate a vehicle in hazardous traffic and/or weather conditions to ensure public safety
Ability to use good judgment regarding the use of force
Ability to learn specialized techniques specific to area of assignment
Ability to command authority from members of the public through a calm demeanor and appropriate actions
Ability to quickly learn the policies and procedures of the Police Department
Ability to quickly learn the geographical layout of the City
Ability to efficiently perform basic first aid procedures
Ability to exhibit skill and accuracy in the handling and firing of assigned weapons
Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language
Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions
Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations
Ability to operate or quickly learn to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks
Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions
Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines
Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology
Ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks
Consistently performs assignments in accordance with the City of Bozeman’s Core Values of Integrity, Leadership, Service and Teamwork.

Nice To Haves

Some previous law enforcement experience preferred

Responsibilities

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