Like many law enforcement agencies, the Bozeman Police Department's Patrol Division is frequently seen as the "backbone" of the department. This division is the largest one in the department, is the most visible on a daily basis, and operates 24 hours a day, every day.

     Patrol officers are the first responders to most incidents in Bozeman. They are either dispatched to an incident called into the Gallatin County 911 Communications Center, or they observe a situation as they are out proactively patrolling the City.

     A shift for a patrol officer is never the same as the one before. They respond to every type of call from urgent, dangerous, and life-threatening calls, to requests to have their photos taken with children!

     Patrol officers are trained in many different skill sets and undergo mandatory training throughout their careers to keep their skills sharp. Before even becoming a patrol officer, each officer must undergo three weeks of initial training, complete a 12 week session at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy in Helena, and successfully graduate the department’s 14 week Field Training and Evaluation Program. After that, each officer routinely participates in ongoing training to continually improve their skills and knowledge.

     Our patrol officers are assigned to a "beat", or division of the City, with the goal of decreasing response times and increasing the ability to proactively police. With the use of Mobile Data Computers and Computer Aided Dispatch, our officers are more effectively dispersed, ensuring coverage across the City. At times, they do cross into other beats to handle high priority calls or back up other officers in high-risk situations.

     Aside from just patrolling in a patrol car, our patrol officers patrol on foot, ride bicycles, ride motorcycles, 

patrol with K-9s, and utilize unmarked patrol cars at times. Aside from all these duties, members of the Patrol Division also function as Field Training Officers, Special Response Team members, Honor Guard members, Negotiators, Crisis Intervention Team members, Arson Investigators, Crash Reconstruction Specialists, and instructors of various disciplines.

     Our patrol officers have a strong commitment to proactive policing, crime prevention, and working with the community to keep Bozeman the most livable place.

     The Detective Division is responsible for investigating felony criminal activity including crimes against persons, sexual offenses, crimes against children, internet crimes, felony property crimes, and other complex investigations.

    Additionally, detectives are also responsible for conducting public education presentations, performing background investigations on prospective employees, carrying out internal affairs investigations, and assisting the patrol division and other agencies with investigations.

     The detective division is also the primary liaison point for investigations requiring a collaborative effort with state and federal agencies.

     Aside from the detectives assigned to specifics units, the division consists of a sergeant, a captain, and various support staff.

The Support Services Division is responsible for Animal Control education and enforcement, code compliance, fleet maintenance and purchasing, department training, police officer recruitment and hiring, the volunteer program, and uniforms and equipment purchasing and maintenance. The division is responsible for Community Involvement and outreach programs such as the Citizen's Police Academy, the Bozeman Police Landlord Partnership, and the National Night Out Against Crime, along with seasonal events such as Shop with a Cop.