Detention Officer

Miles City, MT
Custer County, Montana

Position Summary:

The Detention Officer is responsible for supervising, observing, transporting, booking, searching, and processing inmates at the Sheriff’s detention facilities; and performs related duties as required.

Essential Functions:

  • Maintain security and monitor movement of persons detained at a Sheriff’s detention facility to protect the public and other prisoners. This may include escorting detainees and inmates to court appearances, medical checks, exercise, showers, classrooms, counselor visits, family visits, and other approved appointments at mental hospitals, medical facilities, or clinics.
  • Supervise the security and conduct of inmates in housing units during group meetings, meals, bathing, at recreation, during visitations, and during work or other assignments.
  • Book prisoners into detention facilities following prescribed procedures: issue clothing and supplies to inmates; process inmate discharges or transfers and arrange for transportation if necessary; write reports and maintain written records on standardized forms relating to inmates.
  • Visually and physically search inmates for contraband, weapons, or narcotics; inspect inmates’ quarters for contraband; inspect and direct cleaning activities of inmates for maintenance of sanitation, orderliness and safety.
  • Promote acceptable attitudes and behavior of inmates to assist them in adjusting to confinement; confer with assigned supervisors or officers regarding behavioral or other inmate problems; participate in programs designed to prepare inmates for release.
  • Perform risk assessments and classify inmates in order that more dangerous or hostile inmates are identified and made known to all staff according to established procedures to minimize risk to county staff and other inmates.
  • Anticipate and avert potential problems and assist in suppressing and controlling problems that might occur; report incidents in the prescribed manner.
  • Appoint and supervise inmate workers; make recommendations for transfer of inmates.
  • Make appropriate judgments of needed actions for a wide variety of situations, including laws related to detention of individuals who have been accused of a crime and those that have been convicted, and adapt responses according to established departmental policy, criminal codes, ongoing training, conditions, and specifics of a situation. Use sound, professional judgment and rely on training and common sense to request assistance of other law enforcement officers, public health or safety officials, emergency medical personnel and/or medical examiners staff.
  • Provide responsive, high quality service to County employees, representatives of outside agencies and members of the public by providing accurate, complete, and up-to-date information in a courteous, efficient, and timely manner.

Requirements:

  • This job requires education and experience equivalent to a high school diploma or a GED certificate.
  • Some law enforcement or detention experience preferred.
  • Candidates certified for employment must be willing to undergo and successfully complete an in-depth background investigation, including a psychological evaluation, finger printing, criminal history check, polygraph, and a medical examination.