Ordinance 2026-03 Establishing a Police Department

Ordinance 2026-03

An Ordinance to Establish a Town of Cascade Police Department

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF CASCADE, MONTANA, CREATING AND ESTABLISHING A MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENT; DEFINING ITS STRUCTURE, POWERS, AND DUTIES; PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A CHIEF OF POLICE AND OFFICERS; AND ADOPTING MONTANA STATUTORY POLICE STANDARDS.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CASCADE, MONTANA:

SECTION 1: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT There is hereby created and established the Town of Cascade Police Department. The department shall consist of a Chief of Police and such regular police officers that is authorized and funded through the municipal budget.

SECTION 2: EXECUTIVE SUPERVISION AND APPOINTMENT Pursuant to MCA 7-32-4103, the Mayor shall have general supervisory control over the Police Department. The Mayor shall appoint all members and officers of the department. The Police Chief is subject to confirmation by the Town Council. The Mayor may suspend or remove any member of the force in compliance with Montana law.

SECTION 3: OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE The Chief of Police shall be the chief executive officer of the department and shall be directly responsible to the Mayor. The Chief shall have charge of the police force, oversee daily operations, maintain custody of department property, and enforce all rules and regulations promulgated by the Mayor.

SECTION 4: POWERS AND DUTIES OF POLICE OFFICERS All sworn officers of the department shall have the power and duty to preserve the public peace, prevent crimes, arrest violators of town ordinances and state laws, and execute all warrants or legal processes issued by the town’s local court system.

SECTION 5: POLICE COMMISSION To the extent required by MCA Title 7, Chapter 32, a Town Police Commission is established, consisting of three members appointed by the Mayor with the Town Council’s consent. The Commission shall examine applicants for positions on the police force and hear disciplinary charges brought against any officer.

SECTION 6: QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING No person shall be appointed as a permanent police officer who does not meet the minimum qualifications established by state law under MCA 7-32-4114 et seq. All hired personnel must complete training at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy within the statutory timeframe allowed.

SECTION 7: SEVERABILITY If any section, sentence, or clause of this Ordinance is held to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the remaining portions of this Ordinance.

SECTION 8: EFFECTIVE DATE This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect thirty (30) days after its final passage and adoption by the Town Council.

1st Vote: Date: _

2nd Vote: Date: _

PASSED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CASCADE, MONTANA, THIS __ DAY OF __, 20__.

APPROVED: ____, Mayor

ATTEST: ____, Town Clerk