Lateral Applicants
To be considered for hiring as a lateral police officer, you must be a full-time, sworn police officer who has completed a state-certified police academy, or you must have a valid POST (Peace Officer Standards & Training) certificate, and you are within 3 years of the date of separation from your last police agency. Although most police academies meet POST standards, officers will need to include the number of hours they actually attended.
Out of State Officers – To apply for reciprocity, a law enforcement officer with out-of-state experience and training who has been hired by a law enforcement agency in Montana must have:
- Completed a law enforcement officer basic course in another state
- Served at least one year with a law enforcement agency
- Successfully completed a one-year probationary period with their prior employer
Legal Equivalency Basic Course
Officers who have been granted reciprocity based on their law enforcement qualifications and experience in another state and are hired by the Great Falls Police Department, must attend the Legal Equivalency Basic Course, which is offered three times a year.
POST certified officers with prior experience may qualify to start at either the 1 year or 2 year rate of pay.
Military-Military Police or Security Forces training is not considered POST certified so you would need to follow the entry level police applicant process. The Great Falls Police Department is a recognized registered participating agency with the Veteran’s Administration, and On the Job Training benefits are available to qualified veterans.
Eligible officers who are considering the Great Falls Police Department are encouraged to contact Lt. Doug Mahlum at (406) 455-8556. It’s important that you have a clear understanding of our structure, organization, call load, equipment, and expectations.
