ST. IGNATIUS — In smaller communities around Montana, law enforcement sometimes lacks the capacity for larger forces.
In St. Ignatius, Chief of Police Jason Acheson is initiating a reserve officer program to enhance manpower in the community.
“The Reserve program essentially…it’s similar to that of the volunteer fire department. Members of the community who are interested or have an active interest in law enforcement would join the Reserve program. They will receive training under a minimum of 88 state hours within two years to become reserve police officers,” Acheson explained.
“Their role is to essentially supplement the police department by assisting police officers on duty. They would help with tasks ranging from crowd control to traffic stops, investigations, public events, and any other duties requiring additional support for officers,” Acheson continued.
While the program offers volunteer opportunities, Acheson hopes it will serve as a stepping stone for individuals interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement.
“I’ve been wanting to do this for a while. St. Ignatius is a small department in need of manpower. We have a lot of community activity, and we hope that individuals with an active interest in law enforcement, who are suitable candidates, will consider joining the program and apply to see if they have the necessary qualities and skills to become police officers,” Acheson said.
“It’s a great starting point for those interested in law enforcement, providing them with an insight into the profession, an opportunity to engage with the community, and give back,” he added.
Chief Acheson’s own journey into law enforcement began almost 20 years ago through reserve officer programs.
Starting this program, Acheson expressed excitement about its potential impact on the community.
“It’s exciting. It’s awesome to see a new applicant progress through training, develop and grow while continuously honing their skills, getting involved in the community, and giving back. Watching their investigative skills improve and witnessing their professional growth is rewarding but also comes with the responsibility of overseeing a new officer’s training, ensuring their safety in various scenarios, and dealing with the challenges of the training process and working with City Council to implement the program.” – St. Ignatius Chief of Police Jason Acheson
In his two years as Chief of Police, Acheson has been restructuring and introducing new programs, outlining the qualities he seeks in reserve officers.
“We’re looking for energetic officers with an active interest in law enforcement, capable of performing required duties under mental and physical stress, multitasking, working under pressure, familiarity with software and firearms, and a clean background,” Acheson specified.
“Montana law dictates residency requirements for reserve officers, including being a resident of Montana for one year and the county for six months. Candidates must meet state standards, pass a background check, be at least 18 years old, and have a clean driving record,” Acheson explained.
While no officers have been hired yet, Acheson aims to kickstart the program, with hopes of having more officers in the community by next year. Those interested in applying can contact the St. Ignatius Police Department.
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