POST-Certified Police Officer, Missoula

Police Officer Position

The Missoula Police Department (MPD) is actively seeking qualified candidates to join our team and help fulfill our mission of serving the City of Missoula. With a current force of 118 sworn officers, we are dedicated to building a pool of eligible applicants to fill vacant positions as needed. To apply: Submit a City of Missoula Application. Deadline for accepting applications is JUNE 14, 2026 @ 11:59 PM, MST. 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. 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 or by calling 406-552-6339. 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.If you are seeking employment preference, please include those files 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 or by calling 406-552-6136.This summary outlines the benefit programs; actual benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status. The City of Missoula will reward your contributions to our community with competitive compensation and generous benefits, including but not limited to: Market-Competitive SalaryWork/life balance, including the possibility of flexible schedules and remote work opportunities $0 premium for health and dental coverage for employees and affordable premiums for family coverage $10,000 Employer-sponsored Accidental Death and Dismemberment Life Insurance Policy Options for supplemental life, disability, critical illness, and accidentConstitutionally guaranteed retirement plan with the City contributing 8.77% of salary on your behalf and the ability to contribute to a supplemental deferred compensation program Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays Pre-tax flexible spending accounts The City of Missoula may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Look here to learn more and understand whether you may be eligible.Additional benefits package information is available here. This list does not include all of the duties that may be required of a police officer. Some positions serve as Bailiff, School Safety Officer, Special Team members, School Resource officers, Crime Prevention Officers, Motorcycle Officers, Field Training Officers, Firearms Instructors, and in other training/instructor positions; performs other duties as assigned.Knowledge of the Montana Code Annotated and the Missoula Municipal Code pertaining to police activities and public safety. Knowledge of federal, state, county, and City of Missoula laws and ordinances to be enforced. Knowledge of the policies, goals, and procedures of the Missoula Police Department. Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision and training. Knowledge of law enforcement principles, methods, techniques, and practices including investigation, intelligence, surveillance, court procedures, community relations, identification, patrol, special weapons and tactics, traffic control, report preparation, custody of persons and property, and crime prevention. Knowledge of equipment used in law enforcement, including weaponry, communications, personal computers, and automotive equipment. Knowledge of the street names and locations in the City of Missoula and surrounding area. Skill in performing the day-to-day operations of a police officer. Skill in understanding and interpreting complex statutes, ordinances, regulations, standards, and guidelines. Skill in communicating, in person, in writing, and on two-way radio. Skill in preparing reports documenting the facts and actions regarding criminal and civil law enforcement incidents. Skill in conducting investigations of criminal activities. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City employees, other law enforcement agencies, criminal justice system staff, the business community, and citizens.Minimum Requirements Under Montana State Statute: Eighteen (18) years of age at the time of appointment. High School graduate or GED Successfully complete oral interviews and psychological and background investigation. Citizen of the United States of America; Acceptable results of a thorough background investigation;For all males 18 or older, registered with the Selective Service Possessing a valid driver's license from their State of residence at the time of application AND have no restrictions or traffic infractions which would preclude obtaining a Montana driver's license immediately upon appointment All Missoula City Police Officers must reside within 60 miles of the Missoula City limits at the start of employment. Reasonable exceptions may be considered upon request.As part of a conditional offer of employment, must successfully complete MPAT, POST legal equivalency, POST DUI Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST) course, and 3 1/2 months of Field Training with MPD. To be considered "POST-CERTIFIED," applicants must meet the following requirements by August 3, 2026, when conditional offers of employment will be made.A POST-certified (Lateral) Police Officer candidate is an applicant who has 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, earning officer confirmation status through at least one year of sworn law enforcement service 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 7-32-302.Final certification eligibility is reserved to the Montana POST Council. Additional requirement standards to become a Peace Officer in Montana refer to MCA (7-32-303) Some people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. The City of Missoula will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.