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Join Us, In The Middle Of Big Sky Country

Are you looking for a meaningful career where you can make a difference in our community? The City of Great Falls is seeking qualified applicants for the Police Officer position. We are committed to Community-Orientated Policing and value inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work.

 

The Great Falls Police Department is committed to providing the highest quality of police service to the citizens of Great Falls, in partnership with the entire community. Officers are responsible for patrolling assigned areas, issuing citations, making arrests, responding to calls, monitoring traffic, preparing reports, and operating mobile data terminals. The department responds to over 45,000 calls for service each year.

SPECIALIZED UNITS

In addition to the street action in patrol, there are opportunities for special assignments :

    • High Risk Unit
    • Investigations Bureau
    • Narcotics
    • Gangs
    • Sex crimes
    • School Resource Officers
    • Special Projects Officers
    • Other specialized positions

Great Falls Ranks Second for Most Affordable Cost of Living in Montana

Great Falls has been described as the perfect blend of big-city excitement and small-town charm. Our community has grand traditions, rich history, and superb recreational and cultural amenities for the entire family. When you’re in Great Falls, take a moment to consider the rich history you’re immersed in. Here, you tread the same paths once trodden by the explorers Lewis and Clark, the resilient Blackfeet Indians, and the formidable grizzly bear.

 

Located on the Missouri River and a short drive from the Rocky Mountain Front, Great Falls is home to five waterfalls are located around the city and offer a variety of outdoor activities including: camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, golfing, biking, kayaking, skiing, and rafting. Amenities include the River’s Edge Trail, Electric City Water Park, Riverside Railyard Skate Park, multiple golf courses and tennis courts. Quality of life is excellent with affordable housing, an outstanding public education system, a safe living environment, and a low cost of living. The C. M. Russell Museum, Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, six additional museums, Farmer’s Market, and the Great Falls Symphony only begin to describe the many cultural venues and events.

Additional benefits

Career advancement opportunities; GFPD offers specialized units such as HRU (High Risk Unit), HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area), Field Training Officers, Drone Pilots, DET (Directed Enforcement Team).

 

GFPD recognizes the importance of maintaining health in three areas: Physical Fitness, Physical Health and Mental Health. We have developed a Wellness Program in order to promote and recognize an employee’s healthy lifestyle and encourage all of their members to participate in this voluntary program. Under the current CBA participating employees can earn up to 2 full days off paid.

 

WE'RE HIRING

  • Committed to community outreach and award-winning policing techniques
  • State-of-the-art safety equipment and specialized units
  • Resources to solve real-life problems
  • Resources for career advancements
  • Positive work/life balance

Frequently asked Questions

  • A full list of qualifications can be found by searching Montana Code Annotated(MCA) 7-32-303 on the internet. Hear are a few of them:
    • Must be a citizen of the United States
    • Must be at least 18 years of age
    • Not have been convicted of a crime for which the person could have been imprisoned in a federal or state penitentiary
    • Have a high school diploma or have been issues a high school equivalency diploma
    • Must possess or be eligible to possess a Montana driver’s license
    • Visual acuity of, or corrected to, 20/20
    • Ability to pass a color vision test
    • College coursework in law enforcement or related fields is helpful but not required
  • Please contact a recruiter via our “Text A Recruiter” link at the bottom of every page.
  • You may also check open positions here

The hiring process is split up into 4 phases

Phase 1: Application/Testing

      • 4-part written test covering basic math, reading, grammar and report writing
      • Montana Physical Abilities Test (MPAT)
      • Oral boards, personal history, and a background investigation which takes about 3 weeks

Phase 2: Physical/Psychological Exam

        • Physical Exam/Drug Screening
        • Psychological Exam
        • Police Commission Review
        • Prep Week
          • On-boarding with HR
          • Swearing-in Ceremony
          • Online MLEA course work
          • MPAT for current score prior to leaving for MLEA

Phase 3: Academy 

  • 12 weeks Monday–Friday with occasional weekend trainings. 
  • Recruits will meet at the GFPD and car-pool to Helena in an assigned PD car

Phase 4: Post-Academy

      • Two weeks of hands-on training building on MLEA
      • 16 weeks Field Training with an experienced Field Training Officer (FTO)
      • Divided into 4 phases
      • Daily grading/evaluation of performance

You can find the additional information in our FAQ’s page

  • The Great Falls Police Department is committed to providing the highest quality of police service to the citizens of Great Falls, in partnership with the entire community. Officers are responsible for patrolling assigned areas, issuing citations, making arrests, responding to calls, monitoring traffic, preparing reports and operating mobile data terminals . The Department responds to over 45,000 calls for service each year.
  • There are currently three academy classes per year. We average onboarding 2-3 new officers per hiring round.
  • Yes, all officers are hired prior to attending the academy and will be paid their wage while in attendance.
  • The written test consists of 4 tests covering basic math skills, reading comprehension, grammar, and report writing. All tests require only the knowledge gained at the high school level and do not require any previous law enforcement training or experience. Applicants will be provided with an internet link to a study guide specific to the test we are using once they have applied.
  • The Great Falls Police Department conducts its interviews in such a way that no law enforcement training or experience is necessary. The questions are generally behavior based to challenge an applicant’s morals and ethics. General knowledge of the Great Falls Police Department and the City of Great Falls as organizations is also helpful.

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The Great Falls Police Department is committed to providing the highest quality of police service to the citizens of Great Falls, in partnership with the entire community.
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