Administration

Chief Dave Bowen

Chief Bowen is a veteran of over 20 years that has served in various capacities within the department. He is currently the Chief of Police and oversees all aspects of the police department. He is a graduate of the University of Great Falls and prior to his appointment to Chief, he served as a patrol supervisor, training Sgt., and Support Services supervisor, and Detective Bureau Captain.

He supervises eighty-five Officers and a civilian staff of forty-five. The Great Falls Police Department provides Law Enforcement Services for a population of 67,000.

Working in partnership with the entire community, the Great Falls Police Department is committed to providing the highest quality of police service to the citizens of Great Falls by preventing crime, enforcing the law, and vigorously pursuing and arresting criminals. The Department will promote community safety by seeking solutions to any problem that creates fear or threatens the quality of life in the City of Great Falls.

Chief Bowen can be reached at:

(406) 771-1180
P.O. Box 5021
Great Falls, MT 59403

Captain of Support Services Bureau Tim Shanks

Captain Tim Shanks is a veteran of over thirty years. An officer with the department since 1980, he previously worked for the West Yellowstone, Montana police department. He was appointed Captain in 2000. Prior to being promoted to Captain, he served in the Patrol and Investigative Bureaus and as a supervisor in the Patrol Bureau. Captain Shanks currently oversees the Support Services Bureau which encompasses Special Projects, Training, Warrants, Great Falls Housing Authority, Street Law, Community Policing and a civilian Process Server. Captain Shanks is a graduate of both the FBI National Academy and FBI Intermountain Command College.

Captain Shanks can be reached at:

(406) 771-1180
P.O. Box 5021
Great Falls, MT 59403
Contact Captain Shanks

Captain of Detective Bureau -- Vacant

Supervises the Detective Bureau which consists of 20 sworn officers and three civilians.

Captain of Patrol Services Bureau

Captain Bryan Lockerby has been with the Great Falls Police Department for 29 years. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy 200th Session and was elected Class Valedictorian by his peers. He has attended the FBI Intermountain Command College and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology from Regents University, as well as an Associate’s Degree Criminal Justice from the University of Great Falls. Prior to his appointment to Captain, he supervised the Training and Crime Prevention unit and was a shift commander and patrol supervisor for 16 years. Captain Lockerby’s background includes experience in narcotics investigations, tactical operations, and mounted patrol, to include bicycles and motorcycles.

Captain Lockerby can be reached at:

(406) 771-1180
P.O. Box 5021
Great Falls, MT 59403
Contact Captain Lockerby

Police Records/Budget Supervisor

Sheryl Carr has been with the City of Great Falls since October of 1986 and with the Great Falls Police Department since April of 1989.  She was the Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Police and is currently the Administrative Services Bureau Head.  She supervises the Administrative Assistant and Records Division and is responsible for overseeing the department’s budgets, providing crime statistics to the State and FBI, and ensuring data quality in the department’s records management software and other systems.  She is also the current president of the Montana Law Enforcement information and records association. (MTLEIRA)

Sheryl Carr can be reached at:

(406) 771-1180
P.O. Box 5021
Great Falls, MT 59403

Communication Center Manager

Communications Manager Bill Hunter joined the Great Falls Police Department in 2011.  He came to us from Cumberland County, Tennessee, where he spent 14 years as a 9-1-1 and Emergency Communications Center Director.  While there, Mr. Hunter oversaw the implementation and development of a complete 911 system, including the planning and construction of a state of the art Emergency Communications Facility.   Mr. Hunter retired from the Air Force in 1992, after serving 20 years as an Avionics Systems Technician, Advanced War Skills Planner, and First Sergeant.  While in the Air Force, he received an Associate’s Degrees in Applied Avionics and Human Resource Management.  He oversees 21 civilian staff members.

Bill Hunter can be reached at:

 (406) 455-8555
PO Box 5021
Great Falls, MT 59403