You’ve seen them working as security at the Fair, Under The Big Sky, sporting events, or other large gatherings of people: The Sheriff’s Posse. The Posse provides crowd and traffic control, may be used to preserve crime scene evidence, or aid in evacuation efforts.
A ‘posse’ is a group of people with a common purpose, usually involving law enforcement. The Flathead County Sheriff’s Posse began in 1946 when the Sheriff appointed certain citizens to help with law enforcement, search and rescue missions, and crowd control.
The Posse can serve in an auxiliary capacity or as a Basic Reserve to the Sheriff’s Department. The personal goal of a candidate could be to serve as an auxiliary member, become a Reserve, or perhaps go into law enforcement. Their training is critical; the Basic Reserve in the Sheriff’s Department attends more than 224 hours of preparedness and developmental training.
Part Two of the training includes 40 hours (in addition to the 88 hours they’ve already experienced) of classroom lectures: an understanding of when and how an arrest can be made; the difference between a burglary, a break-in, and a theft; and practical exercises such as the proper way to conduct a pat-down, emergency vehicle operation, CPR and first aid. They also are allowed to experience what it might be like during an arrest from the suspect’s perspective, including what it’s like to be shot by a Taser, frisked, and handcuffed.
Last year was the first time using the new program, and ten Basic Reserve Deputies graduated. This year, the goal is to graduate six on the first Monday of August.
Flathead’s Sheriff Posse has a long history of members who have become full-time Law Enforcement Officers and hold the office of Sheriff, Undersheriff, and other Command Staff in many Law Enforcement agencies around Montana. The Flathead County Sheriff’s Posse is dedicated to serving the people of Flathead County. By providing committed leadership and teamwork, the quality of our law enforcement will be maintained at the highest possible level.
To learn more about the Posse, visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/fcsoposse