The Reserve Officer Training program goal is to provide qualified citizens with an opportunity to be involved in their local law enforcement agencies. This program supports that goal. Reserve Officers are defined in the Montana Code Annotated as a sworn, part-time, volunteer member of a law enforcement agency who is a peace officer and has arrest authority, only when authorized to perform these functions as a representative of the law enforcement agency. The program is intended to educate students in a professional setting, consistently meeting the requirements identified in the MCA of a “Reserve Officer.” While interacting with current and former law enforcement officers as instructors in the classroom.
7-32-213. To be appointed a reserve officer, a person must:
• Be a resident of MT for at least 1 year and of the county for at least 6 months prior to appointment
• Be a US citizen, at least 18 old, with HS diploma or equivalent
• Consent to be fingerprinted and pass a background investigation
• Pass a physical exam 30 days prior to appointment
• Possess a valid MT driver’s license
7-32-214. Basic training program required.
A reserve officer may not be authorized to function as a representative of a law enforcement agency performing general duties after 2 years from the original appointment unless he/she has satisfactorily completed a minimum 88-hour training program including the following:
| • introduction and orientation — 1 hr |
• police ethics and professionalism — 1 hr |
| • criminal law — 4 hrs |
• laws of arrest — 4 hrs |
| • criminal evidence — 4 hrs |
• administration of criminal law — 2 hrs |
| • communications, reports, records — 2 hrs |
• crime investigations — 3 hrs |
| • interviews and interrogations — 2 hrs |
• patrol procedures — 6 hrs |
|
| • crisis intervention — 4 hrs |
• police human and community relations — 3 hrs |
| • juvenile procedures — 2 hrs |
• defensive tactics — 4 hrs |
| • crowd control tactics — 4 hrs |
• firearms training — 30 hrs |
| • first aid — 10 hrs |
• examination — 2 hrs |
Application Required
Click here to print
application or you may pick up a copy in person at the college: 1115 N. Roberts, Room 113. Once your completed application is submitted, you will be notified of acceptance within 3 days.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Seats are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Need more information?
Coordinator Christy Stergar – phone 406-447-6945 – Christine.Stergar@helenacollege.edu
Students traveling from outside the area are responsible to make their own arrangements for room/board. Meals are not included in course tuition.
