The Billings Police Department: 5 Critical Challenges And New Initiatives Shaping Public Safety In 2025

The Billings Police Department (BPD) is currently navigating a period of intense scrutiny and critical challenges, with the latest updates in late 2024 and early 2025 pointing to a significant squeeze on public safety resources. This essential law enforcement agency for Montana’s largest city is grappling with one of the state's highest crime rates while simultaneously facing the prospect of service reductions due to revamped budgets and legislative changes. The BPD remains committed to a community-focused approach, but the sustainability of its essential operations is now a major concern for Billings residents.

The department, which serves a population exceeding 105,000 people, is striving to maintain its customer service and problem-solving partnership with the community, even as city officials grapple with a complex financial landscape. This article provides an in-depth look at the BPD’s structure, its leadership, the urgent crime statistics, and the new initiatives designed to enhance public safety in the face of fiscal uncertainty.

Chief Rich St. John: A Profile in Billings Law Enforcement

The Billings Police Department is led by Chief Rich St. John, a figure whose career is deeply intertwined with the city’s law enforcement history. Chief St. John's extensive experience provides a steady hand as the department addresses modern policing challenges.

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• Start of Career: Chief St. John began his service with the Billings Police Department in 1981, initially spending six years as a patrol officer.
• Career Progression: His dedication led to his appointment as a Juvenile Division Detective in 1987. He later rose through the ranks, serving as a Sergeant before assuming the role of Police Chief.
• Years of Service: Chief St. John has dedicated over three decades to law enforcement in Billings, balancing his demanding role with community involvement, including coaching.
• Leadership Focus: His tenure is marked by a commitment to improving the quality of life in Billings through community partnerships, a philosophy that guides the BPD’s current initiatives.
• Personal Note: At one point in his career, he was hospitalized following a heart attack, underscoring the personal toll of a long and challenging career in public service.

The Critical 2025 Budget Crisis and Service Sustainability

One of the most pressing issues facing the Billings Police Department in the current fiscal year (FY 2025-2026) is the looming budget shortfall. Recent legislative changes at the state level, particularly those affecting property tax laws, are expected to significantly squeeze the city's public safety budgets.

The city council is actively discussing budget impacts, with a reported $23 million in cuts being considered across city services. Furthermore, the BPD has seen significant reductions in federal grants, which have historically supported various programs and operational needs.

The Police Chief has cautioned that these financial constraints will inevitably hinder the department’s ability to provide essential services. The primary concern is maintaining the current level of proactive policing, investigative resources, and community programs that are vital for crime reduction.

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The challenge for Billings officials is to find ways to streamline performance and efficiency without resorting to budget reductions that ultimately reduce the quality and availability of essential city services. The debate is ongoing, and the outcome will directly impact the BPD’s capacity to protect the community.

Billings MT Crime Rate: A Look at the Statistics

The financial challenges come at a time when the city of Billings continues to grapple with persistently high crime statistics. According to recent data, Billings is considered one of the most unsafe cities in America, a fact that places immense pressure on the BPD’s 170-177 sworn police officers.

The most alarming figures relate to violent crime. Billings registers a violent crime rate of approximately 929 per 100,000 people. This statistic means that a resident's chance of being a victim of violent crime is about 1 in 108. For comparison, this violent crime rate is significantly higher than the national average and even surpasses that of much larger metropolitan areas like New York City.

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Property crime is also a major concern, with a resident's chance of being a victim of property crime being as high as 1 in 28. The BPD has responded to this challenge by making recent crime data publicly accessible through an online dashboard, currently tracking offenses from January 2024 onward. This transparency allows the community to monitor trends and understand the scope of the public safety challenge.

Key Divisions and Community-Focused Initiatives

To combat crime and foster trust, the BPD is structured into several key divisions and has launched a number of innovative community programs. These efforts demonstrate the department's commitment to a problem-solving partnership with the citizens of Billings.

BPD Operational Divisions and Specialized Units

The BPD is the largest city police force in Montana and is organized to cover a wide range of public safety needs. The department is not just about patrol; it includes critical support and investigative functions:

• Investigations Division: This vital division handles complex criminal cases and includes General Detectives, the Identification Division (for forensic evidence), and the Evidence Division (for securing and managing case materials).
• Specialized Units: The department maintains three specialized units that are deployed under specific, high-risk circumstances, ensuring a rapid and professional response to unique public safety threats.
• Patrol Division: The backbone of the BPD, the patrol division provides 24/7 coverage, responding to emergency calls and conducting proactive policing across the city.

New Community Outreach and Crime Prevention Programs

Recognizing that law enforcement alone cannot solve the city’s crime issues, the BPD has prioritized community outreach, informed by resident satisfaction surveys.

• Crime Prevention Center: The Center works to build strong partnerships between the police and the community, focusing on proactive measures to improve the quality of life and reduce opportunities for crime.
• Smart Design, Safer Spaces: In partnership with the Downtown Billings Alliance, this initiative focuses on crime prevention through environmental design, aiming to make public spaces less conducive to criminal activity.
• Project Eyes on the Block: This program encourages citizens and businesses to register their private security cameras with the BPD. The participant information is only viewable by police officers and community service officers, providing a valuable investigative tool while respecting privacy.
• Addressing Hate Crimes: In late 2024 and early 2025, the BPD was actively investigating hate-based incidents, such as vandalism at local churches, with Chief St. John issuing public statements to reassure the community and seek information.

Contacting the Billings Police Department

Knowing how to contact the BPD is essential for all residents and visitors. The department’s headquarters is the hub for all administrative and investigative services.

• Emergency Calls: For all life-threatening emergencies or crimes in progress, always call 9-1-1.
• Non-Emergency Calls: For all non-emergency police matters, such as reporting a minor crime, requesting a non-urgent officer response, or asking for general information, use the non-emergency contact number.
• Headquarters Address: The main BPD facility is located in Downtown Billings, serving as the central point for all divisions.

The Billings Police Department is at a critical juncture. The combination of a high violent crime rate and a challenging budget environment means the BPD's commitment to community policing and innovative crime prevention strategies is more vital than ever. The success of Chief St. John and his team will depend heavily on the city's ability to provide sustainable funding for essential public safety services in the coming years.