MISSOULA, MT — With the latest decision just approved by the City Council, changes are coming for first responders in Missoula.
The residency requirement for the Missoula Police Department has officially changed and officials hope it will help with recruiting and retaining employees.
Previously, MPD employees had to live within 45 minutes of the city. The new change allows employees to live up to 60 miles from the city limits, as long as the police chief and the human resources department approve it.
This change comes as some city council members point to a larger problem.
“I know firsthand of officers who want to come here from other states. Maybe they bring a wealth of experience to the department here, come here and see the cost of living, the housing costs, and it just doesn't work for them because they can't afford to live here with the salary that's being offered,” said Missoula City Council member Bob Campbell.
Current data from the Missoula Organization of Realtors shows that the median sales price for a single-family home in Missoula is $606,000.
The original change in residency requirements also affected the Missoula Fire Department.
City Council member Stacie Anderson says the fire department was removed from the system at the request of Fire Chief Gordy Hughes, who was concerned about response times and wanted to make sure people lived close enough to respond to emergency calls.
By comparison, Kalispell eliminated residency requirements for firefighters and paramedics in 2022.
According to Kalispell Fire Chief Dan Pearce, since the repeal of the rule, new employees have been able to purchase a home or property that they would not have been able to under the old rules, and he has not seen any adverse effects.
In Missoula, the change in police residency requirements will take effect in 30 days.
