Public Hearing – Ordinance 2026-03 – Establish a Town of Cascade Police Department – Wedsworth Hall

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: 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 7-32-303 et seq. All hired personnel must complete training at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy within the statutory timeframe allowed.

SECTION 6: 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.

1^st Vote:  Date:  _________

2^nd Vote: Date:  _________

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

APPROVED: ________________________, Mayor

ATTEST: ________________________, Town Clerk