Community Involvement

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Community Announcements and Upcoming Events

Shop with A Cop

Each year, the Bozeman Police Department chooses a group of Bozeman children for the Shop with a Cop program. The program pairs each child with a Bozeman Police Officer for the afternoon. The BPD and local sponsors work together to gift each child a gift card for a local retail store.

The officer and child shop together for presents for the child's family. When they finish, they ride in a BPD patrol car to the station. There, they eat pizza and gift wrap their presents. The event creates positive interactions between local children and law enforcement officers.

If you're interested in donating to this event, please reach out to the Bozeman Police Foundation.

Coffee with a Cop

Our Coffee with a Cop event builds relationships to solve community problems. We meet up with local citizens in a coffee shop. Then we have relaxed conversations without obstacles or distractions.

There are no speeches and no specific topics. The event is an informal conversation about what matters to Bozeman residents. No reservations are necessary. Just show up at the advertised time, have some coffee, and talk with us about what's on your mind!

The Bozeman Police Department held its first “Coffee with a Cop” event in July of 2015. Coffee with a Cop will take place every month in various locations across Bozeman.

Check out our Bozeman Police Facebook page for times/dates.

Volunteer Opportunities

We have a variety of volunteer opportunities. Opportunities open up when needs are identified or roles are vacated. These roles include work like managing abandoned bikes and equipment, entering data, educating the public, and assisting with traffic trailer management. For more information, please contact Captain Benjamin King.

Bozeman Police Foundation

The Bozeman Police Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to fostering public safety through community building, education, and outreach.

For more information, please visit the Bozeman Police Foundation Page.

Citizens Police Academy

Our next Citizens Police Academy will be in Spring 2026.

Other Community-Involved Programs

CHRISTMAS STROLL

SHOP WITH A COP

If you're interested in donating to this event, please reach out to the Bozeman Police Foundation.

KIDS, COPS, AND CATS

TIP-A-COP

KIDABALOO

BOZEMAN POLICE LANDLORD PARTNERSHIP

Landlords can pay a high price if there is criminal activity on or near their property. They might have property damage or declining property values. They also might have to evict tenants and struggle to fill vacancies.

Landlords should have consistent rental standards during their application and rental times. A safe rental keeps tenants happy!

If you're a rental agency managing several units or a landlord with one rental, reach out to us! We can help you learn about loud parties, problem tenants, parking complaints, animal issues, and general neighborhood safety. We'll help you keep your rental safe and your tenants satisfied.

BUSINESS SECURITY

Commercial burglaries are often crimes of opportunity that happen after a business closes. You can reduce your risk of becoming a victim with a few simple steps.

First, consider how your property looks from the burglar’s view. An unlocked door or open window is an opportunity for a burglar to strike. Every opening represents a potential security breach. Update or install locks, lighting, and alarms.

Second, establish a closing routine or checklist. Make sure employees lock doors, windows and set the alarm.

Third, build a rapport with nearby business owners. Discuss problems or nuisances with them. Then work together to identify solutions that benefit everyone.

Business Security Checklist

HOME SECURITY

BPD officers residential and commercial security inspections for citizens of Bozeman

Usually, residential burglaries happen during the day. Burglaries often happen while families are at work or school. The most common entry technique is a hard kick to the door, forcing the wooden jamb to give way. The burglar may use household tools like hammers, screwdrivers, pry bars, and pliers to get in.

Unfortunately, it is hard to catch burglars in the act and harder to catch them after the fact. While residential burglaries seem random in nature, burglars use a selection process. They target unoccupied homes with easy or concealed access and quick escape routes. Once inside, burglars look for small, expensive items to trade for cash. Favorite items include cash, jewelry, laptops, CD/DVD players, game consoles, watches, guns, and small electronic devices.

The Bozeman Police Department offers residential and commercial security inspections. We would be happy to help keep your home safe. You can also personally reduce your risk of becoming a victim with a few simple steps.

Residence Security Checklist

RIDE-ALONG PROGRAM

To schedule a Ride-Along, please contact Lieutenant Ian Anderson and Lieutenant Quinn Ellingson by emailing them at ianderson@bozeman.net and qellingson@bozeman.net.

From the front seat of a patrol car, you can see what it is like to work a shift as a Bozeman Police officer. These unique experiences are available during both day shift and night shift on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Ride-Alongs are currently scheduled for 2 hours, and may be extended dependent upon current call volume and officer availability. Riders are paired with a patrol officer and given the opportunity to ride in the patrol vehicle as the officer responds to calls, interacts with citizens, and works proactively within the community.

Before riding, riders will be required to sign a waiver form and indicate understanding of the following rules and requirements:

Please wear conservative clothing suitable for contacting the public and the weather conditions. Tank tops, sleeveless shirts, exposed midriffs, cut-off shorts, worn out jeans and high heel shoes are not acceptable clothing. Clothing described as business casual is recommended.
Audio and video recorders, cameras and camera phones will not be allowed unless authorized by a command officer.
It is important that you do not interfere in the officer’s activities. Please hold any questions you may have until after the officer has completed the call or is no longer in contact with a victim, suspect, prisoner or witness. Please note that the officer may not be able to answer your questions at the time you ask; and/or due to privacy concerns, may not be able to fully answer your questions.
You may not engage in any police activity unless specifically directed by an officer and may not be armed with any type of weapon, as defined under MCA §41-2-101(79). Exceptions to being armed apply to currently certified and sworn officers.
You may not leave the police car or talk with victims, prisoners, suspects, witnesses or other persons contacted regarding police business without first obtaining permission from the officer.
Depending on the circumstance(s), you may be dropped off at a safe location during your ride along and either retrieved by another officer or a friend or family member.
You are riding in the capacity of an observer only. The officer is in complete control at all times.
Keep in mind that you may be listed as a witness to a criminal incident, which may require you to complete written and/or taped statement, as well as require you to appear before a court of law to testify on behalf of the State of Montana.
You may ride only once every six (6) months. This gives an opportunity to others that may wish to ride.
Failure to adhere to the above rules will result in termination of the ride and may result in suspension of all future ride requests.

City Of Bozeman