Police Volunteers and Interns

Anyone wishing to volunteer, must meet the following requirements:

• be 18 years of age or older,
• have a high school diploma or the equivalent,
• live in the greater Helena area,
• meet the HPD qualifying standards for background suitability investigation,
• have the skills needed and identified by the HPD,
• have a good attitude and helping spirit, and
• make a commitment of at least six months.

Volunteer: 

A volunteer is a person who is willing to work without the expectation of salary or financial reward (other than reimbursement of actual expenses occurred). Volunteers serve “at will” and will not be employed by the same public agency to perform the same types of services that the individual is performing as a volunteer. A volunteer status does not provide compensation or health insurance coverage. 

Volunteer Coordinator:

The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for recruiting, screening, interviewing, scheduling, and providing training and orientation for volunteers. The coordinator serves as a volunteer's contact within the Helena Police Department.

Anyone wishing to Volunteer must fill out an application and pass a criminal background check. Allow at least one week for the processing of applications. 

HPD-Volunteer-Application-2025.pdf(PDF, 208KB)

The HPD grants each volunteer the following rights:

1. To be treated as an equal partner with the career staff and to be jointly responsible for the successful completion of the HPD’s mission.
2. To be receptive to any constructive comment from the Volunteer regarding ways in which we might better accomplish our respective tasks.
3. To be offered the most closely matching volunteer position placement in terms of the Volunteer’s expressed interests, skills, and capabilities.
4. To be supported in terms of timely and adequate information, performance enhancing training, and other responsibilities of their position(s).
5. To ensure the Volunteer of diligent supervisory assistance and to provide timely and constructive feedback on their performance.
6. To be kept informed about program activates and calendar changes.
7. To be assigned meaningful work.
8. To receive the respect, appreciation, recognition, and consideration due all workers.

In return, the volunteer agrees to the following:

1. To perform my volunteer duties courteously, in good spirit, and to the best of my ability, and to seek guidance when in doubt.
2. To be prompt and reliable in my attendance; to contact my supervisor if unable to volunteer as scheduled and to stay for the entire length of time for which I have been assigned to volunteer, unless officially relieved.
3. To log in and out of each volunteer shift in the logbook or as otherwise directed by the Volunteer Coordinator.
4. To check my folder and message boards at the beginning of each volunteer shift for critical and timely information and updates.
5. To dress appropriately (clean and casual).
6. To maintain the confidentiality and security of the Helena Police Department, including but not limited to reports and victim/complainant/suspect related information.
7. To attend continuing education training classes that are necessary for the continuing competence in my volunteer position(s).

Identification Badge:

Each volunteer will be issued an identification badge. This identifies them as a Helena Police Department Volunteer. All volunteers are required to display their identification badge while on duty. Volunteer badges are not to be used outside the department to gain favorable treatment or gratuities. Any violation of this provision, or any misuse if these items could be grounds for dismissal from the volunteer program. Identification badges must be turned in at the end of a volunteer’s service for security reasons.

Dress Code:

Volunteers are to dress clean and casual while on duty. A volunteer working outside the office needs to be clearly identifiable as a volunteer by wearing their identification badge and/or clothing depicting volunteer status (such as a safety vest). Volunteers shall not wear clothing with pictures or language that could be considered offensive. General hats and ball caps will not be worn. A volunteer can request to wear an HPD issued volunteer hat given an appropriate assignment. 

Montana Code Annotated 

Title 7. Local Government

Chapter 32. Law Enforcement

Part 2. Reserve and Auxiliary Officers

7-32-201. Definitions. As used in this part, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Auxiliary Officer" means an unsworn, part-time, volunteer member of a law enforcement agency who may perform, but is not limited to, the performance of such functions as civil defense, search and rescue, office duties, crowd and traffic control, and crime prevention activities.

Police Volunteers are restricted from the general law enforcement duties of a sworn law enforcement officer. 

For further information, visit www.leg.mt.gov/bills/mca.

**An 'auxiliary officer' is different from a 'reserve officer.' For clarification, please see MCA 7-32-211, and associated statutes. 

The Helena Police Department recognizes three types of interns:

1) Full or part-time student at an accredited college or university working for college or university credit with hour requirements being established by the educational institution 

2) Full or part-time student at an accredited college or university not working for college or university credit with hour requirements established by the HPD

3) Non-student wishing to explore the career field of law enforcement with hour requirements established by the HPD

Regardless of the type of intern, the minimum qualifications are as follows:

• Be at least 18 years of age,
• Have an interest in law enforcement, criminal justice, or a similar field as a career,
• Possess the high ethical, moral, and professional standards set forth by the Helena Police Department,
• No conviction of a felony, any crime of a sexual nature or against children, any crime related to assault or violence, any crime related to dishonesty, or any crime related to impersonating a law enforcement officer,
• No conviction of a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor crime within the past four years excluding petty misdemeanor traffic offenses,
• No pending criminal cases,
• No mental illness or chemical dependency condition that may adversely affect the person’s ability to serve in the position,
• Ability to meet physical requirements reasonably appropriate to the assignment, and
• Pass a personal background history and character check suitable for a person representing the HPD, as validated by a background investigation.
• The Chief of Police may allow exceptions to these eligibility requirements based on organizational needs and the qualifications of the individual.

For possible internships not through an educational institution, hour requirements are as follows:

• Minimum of 100 hours at a suggested pace of 10 hours a week for 10 weeks.
• If the applicant is looking to do more hours, this must be agreed upon with the Intern Supervisor.
• Interns interested in an extension of hours after meeting the minimum requirement will speak with the Intern Supervisor to request an extension of hours.
• Interns unable to meet the minimum hours for matters outside of their control will speak with the Intern Supervisor as soon as possible. 

Regardless of the type of intern, the application process is as follows:

1) The applicant will send a letter of interest to the HPD Intern Supervisor detailing why they wish to intern with the department. 

2) The Intern Supervisor will contact the applicant to fill out an Authorization to Release Information form. This grants the department permission to conduct a background check on the applicant.

3) Upon satisfactory completion of the applicant’s background, the Intern Supervisor will contact them to set a time and date for an interview with the Intern Supervisor and the Criminal Investigations Division Lieutenant.

4) If the Intern Supervisor and the Criminal Investigations Division Lieutenant agree to hire the applicant, the applicant will be required to sign the Volunteer Agreement, Notice of Confidentiality, HPD Internship Policy, and any other required agreements and/or liability waivers and to abide by said agreements. The applicant will also be required to have their fingerprints taken.

5) Within the first week of the internship, the intern will complete the Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) training, establish learning goals and a schedule with the Intern Supervisor, and participate in a department orientation detailing the general operation, function, and organization of the department and the criminal justice system.