Great Falls Police Department | Community | Compassion | Courage
The Police Department is visible in the Community: GFPD Motorcycle Patrol leading the 9/11 Memorial Ride

Employment Overview

[ Serving as a police officer is patirotic like this bald eagle with the Stars and Stripes overlaid on his face feathers. ]

The Great Falls Police Department offers a challenging career and opportunities to those interested in serving their community as a law enforcement officer. Typically, four to six officer positions are filled each year. Testing for police officers occur on a continuous basis through the Montana Law Enforcement Testing Consortium (more info below). The eligibility of an applicant is maintained for a period of one year.

The testing process, from the time the position is advertised to the time the list is finalized with the top candidates takes two to three months. The final list and ranking order will determine which applicant will be sent to the Montana Law Enforcement Academy for training and when.

To Begin the Process

All candidates (including Entry level and Lateral Officers) who wish to test for the Great Falls Police Department must pass a written exam and physical fitness assessment. Once this portion of the process has been completed, Lateral Officers will follow a modified hiring process. Details on the Lateral Officer system.

For information regarding the written exam or the physical fitness assessment, please contact Lt. Lockerby, (406) 455-8556.

The hiring process consists of several steps:

STEP 1

  1. Complete and pass a written exam and physical fitness assessment. The written exam requires a passing score of 70% and the physical fitness requirements are established through the Montana Law Enforcement Academy.
    [ Man doing sit-ups (©MicroSoft ClipArt) ]
  2. EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 16, 2007 – The Great Falls Police Department is a member of the newly formed Montana Law Enforcement Testing Consortium (MTLETC). The purpose of the Consortium is to provide a combined testing process for multiple Montana law enforcement agencies which will create a qualified applicant pool of candidates.

In simple terms, this is one-stop shopping for the police applicant to apply with multiple (participating) police agencies. MTLETC will conduct testing in nine locations around the state three times a year. The qualified applicant will be eligible for hire for one year from the date of successfully completing the tests. For full details on the process and how to register, follow the link to http://www.bozeman.net/MTLETC/

The Great Falls Police Department only recognizes applicants who are on the MTLETC hiring list. Once you have succeeded with this step, each agency then processes applicants differently as their hiring protocols dictate. The GFPD proceeds with the following…

STEP 2

  1. Behavioral Personnel Assessment Devices (B-Pad) Video Assessment - pass/fail basis (Entry Level officers.) Lateral officers, click here.
  2. Complete and return the Personal History Statement

STEP 3

  1. Formal Oral Board - Each applicant will be asked a series of ten questions, which are worth ten points each (total of 100 points). There is also a pass/fail standard for this portion.

    [ Interview (drawing ©MicroSoft ClipArt) ]

    Applicants who successfully complete the above three steps will be ranked in order. The list will be determined from each applicant's performance (score) from the following areas:

    1. Written score
      -weighted at 30% of total score
    2. Oral Board score
      -weighted at 50% of total score
    3. B-Pad Video Assessment score
      -weighted at 20% of total score

    After the list is compiled, background investigations will be initiated and will be completed in order of ranking on the list. If candidates are successful in passing the background investigation, a Conditional Offer of Employment will be made provided there are openings. Upon acceptance, the candidate will proceed to Step 4.

STEP 4

  1. Medical Physical
  2. Drug Screen test
  3. Psychological exam
  4. Review by Great Falls Police Commission for approval or denial

Minimum Qualifications:

  • U.S. Citizen
  • Eighteen years of age
  • Height & weight in proportion
  • Visual acuity - correctable to 20/20
  • Able to pass a color vision test
  • High school diploma or equivalent (college degree preferred)
  • MT driver's license, or ability to obtain within 60 days
  • No convictions for which imprisonment could have occurred in a federal or state penitentiary
  • Good moral character
  • Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with supervisors, co-workers and the public
  • Interpersonal and problem-solving skills
  • Willingness to work with community

Detailed Salary & Police Benefits