I found an online directory of Kalispell City ordinances and thought it would be intriguing to see what some of the ordinances of the past were. The last post covered a 1938 ordinance that related to regulation and licensing of electric wiring.
This time, I'm sharing a 1939 ordinance which officially established a Kalispell police force and police commission.
On February 6th, 1939, Kalispell's Ordinance #478 was published. This officially set up the guidelines for the establishment of a metropolitan police force, in concurrence with the State of Montana police law of the time.
Specifically:
The police department would consist of one Chief of Police and a number of patrolmen as determined to be necessary by the Mayor and City Council.
Each member of the police force would get one day off for each eight day period without loss of compensation. Minimum wage for a month of eight hour days would be at least $160 per month plus one additional dollar for each year of active service up to ten years. So the minimum for someone with ten years of service would be $170 per month.
The Mayor would appoint all members of the police force. Those appointments would only be done for those who filled out an application and passed an examination. They would then need to serve six months of probationary service.
The Mayor would also establish a Police Commission, and would be required to nominate three residents of the City of Kalispell as members. Terms would be staggered, with each (eventually) running three years each. Police Commission members would be paid $5 per meeting, and could only attend one per month so total compensation would be a maximum of $60 per year.
The Police Commission had to examine all applicants as to their age, legal, mental, moral and physical qualifications. New applicants had to be between the ages of 21 and 35, with some exemptions based on military service. They also had to be a United States citizen, a resident of Kalispell, and must be able to speak and write the English language. As for mental and moral qualifications, we can only guess in 2025 at what those were at the time!
The Police Department would operate the force with two lists, one for the active police officers, and one for "eligible" officers. This second list could only be 20% as long as the first list, and would include those who had served 20 years, or were 65 years or older, or received injuries or disabilities while on duty. Officers on disability would be paid monthly up to half of the salary they were receiving, from a fund to be set up for that purpose.
The salaries for the Reserve or Eligible list would be paid via special tax levy, or retained from the monthly salary of active police officers (1 1/2% of salary). Salaries would also be received from any money withheld from police officers for rule violations, as well as any bequests or gifts paid to the police department. Procedures were also put in place to ensure twice yearly audits of this fund.
This ordinance also set in place a process to be followed if an officer was charged with incompetence, incapacitation, neglect of duty or misconduct. Trials would be open to public. A policeman could be suspended for up to ten days while waiting for a hearing.
Finally, there were rules that no member of the police force was to be a delegate in any political convention, nor could they solicit anyone to vote at any political caucus or primary. They could also not attempt to influence any voters in any way.
So how does this compare to where we are today?
First, the Police Commission still has only three members who have three year rotating terms. Also, instead of $5 per meeting, commissioners now make a maximum of $10 per day with a max of $50 per month. So in that way, not much has changed in the last 86 years.
But let's look at the most recent Kalispell police contract which is valid through 2026. That indicates:
Instead of being required to work seven out of every eight days as was required in 1939, today's officers work 40 hours per week. Specifically they work four ten hour days and have three consecutive days off in a row during every seven day period.
In addition, some officers will be granted ten additional days leave with pay to attend state, regional, and national meetings and conventions.
Officers will also get compensated for overtime which refers to any hours worked that are more than 80 hours in a 14 day calendar work period. Overtime is paid at the rate of one and a half times the regular rate of pay.
Further, employees possessing an Associate of Arts Sciences, Bachelor of Arts:' Sciences , or Master' s degree from an accredited college or university in law enforcement or a related degree will receive additional wages as follows:
- Associate' s degree: $ 10 per pay period
- Bachelor' s degree: $ 20 per pay period
- Master' s degree: $ 30 per pay period
Also, additional hourly wages will be earned for those who work between 2pm and 7pm and those that work between 7pm and 5am.
In 1939, as mentioned above, patrolmen earned a minimum of $160 per month which was less than $2,000 per year. Police officers in 2025 earn a minimum of $71,000 per year.
Police officers in today's environment also earn vacation time, and can take three weeks vacation up until ten years of service. Between 11 and 15 years get three and a half weeks which rises to nearly five weeks when they reach 21 years of service.
Bottom line?
Kalispell Police Officers in 2025 are doing much better than their 1939 brethren. General prices have increased 23 times since 1939. Using that statistic, the minimum pay for a police officer in 2025 should be somewhere are $45K. In fact, it's much more than that. In addition to the better pay plan, officers work fewer hours and fewer days than their 1939 counterparts. That sounds like progress!
And there you have it, another blast from the past of Kalispell Montana. I wonder what I'll find the next time I peek into the Kalispell Ordinances?
If you have any real estate related needs, feel free to give me a call on 406-270-3667 or email me at kat@thehousekat.com and I would be happy to find the right person to assist you!
Photos made from Kat's brain and AI.
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