Officer Souza has been with the Great Falls Police Department since April of 2018. Before settling in Great Falls Montana, Officer Souza worked as a patrol officer in Casper Wyoming, and as a Deputy for the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office. Before beginning a career as a peace officer, Lance served in the US Marine Corps from 2010-2014 where he served as a Logistics/Motor Transport officer and for a year as a foreign advisor to the Afghan National Army in the Sangin River Valley in Helmand, Afghanistan. Officer Souza served for many years as a beat cop, before moving to the Direct Enforcement Team (DET) in 2023. Officer Souza’s passion in law enforcement is combating violent crime and disrupting street crime/narcotics activity. Inside the department, Officer Souza serves as a Field Training Officer; Firearms Instructor; and teaches on topics including traffic stops, search and seizure, Active Shooter response, and Close Quarters Battle (CQB). Officer Souza is an Entry Team member on the Central Montana Regional High-Risk Unit (HRU) where he serves as a Less Lethal Operator and Explosive Breacher. Outside the department, Officer Souza spends time with his family and is involved with his local church assisting in several kids/youth programs. Additionally, he enjoys the benefits living in Montana offers taking advantage of opportunities for skiing; fishing; floating the river; hunting; and backcountry hiking and horseback riding.