Sworn Deputy lateral 

First, you must meet the minimum qualifications to be a sworn deputy.  Then, you must have been issued a basic certificate or equivalency certificate by the Peace Officer Standardized Training (POST) Council and have two (2) years of prior law enforcement experience with another law enforcement agency or a minimum of two (2) years experience in the military.   

hiring process

If you qualify as a Montana lateral, you will not be subject to the written test but you will have to complete the MPAT.  

​Out-of-state laterals MUST do both.  

​You MUST COMPLETE the online application and attach documents requested.

 Montana Lateral

If you meet the qualifications for deputy and the criteria above, you will be classified as a Probationary Deputy II, and subject to promotion to Deputy II after a one (1) year probation period. 

 Out of State Lateral

If you do not have a equivalency certificate at the time of hire but can secure one within six (6) months, you will be retroactively classified and paid as a Probationary Deputy II.

Detention Officer Lateral

First, you must meet the minimum qualifications to be a detention officer.  Then, you must have been issued a basic certificate by the Peace Officer Standardized Training (POST) Council or equivalent, approved by POST and have two (2) years of prior detention/ corrections experience with another law enforcement agency or a minimum of two (2) years relevant experience in the military.   ​

Detention lateral

Any new hire who meets the criteria above will be placed placed two (2) steps above the "entry level" grade and step.