Civilian Review
Montana Public Safety Officer Standards and Training Council
Montana POST Council
17/100
Summary
The Montana POST Council (MCA §44-4-403) establishes certification and training standards for all peace officers and holds binding authority to suspend or revoke officer certification. The 13-member council, appointed by the governor, includes 11 law-enforcement professionals and 2 citizen members; revocation decisions are subject to contested-case due process. The council does not independently investigate use-of-force incidents — it acts on referrals and complaints — and employment termination remains with the appointing agency (MCA §44-4-404). As a criminal justice agency under Montana law, it may access confidential criminal justice information for certification purposes.
Independence Scorecard
17/100
Nominal
Methodology v0.1
| Appointment | Executive appointment |
|---|---|
| Term length | Not specified |
| Removal standard | At will (weak protection) |
| Budget independence | Executive discretion |
| Subpoena power | No |
| Compel testimony | No |
| Records access | Restricted |
| Public reports required | No |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Montana Code Annotated Title 44, Chapter 4, Part 4
- Citation
- MCA §44-4-401 through §44-4-404
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
All certified peace officers statewide