Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association

06/10/2026

As MSPOA prepares for its annual convention next week, it seems fitting to look back at where it all began; when Sheriffs started gathering to share their challenges, solutions, and successes, and how they determined that an association would help not only their individual jurisdictions, but also the state as a whole.

According to our resident historian, retired Custer County Sheriff Tony Harbaugh, the story begins in 1911. Montana was just 22 years old, with 29 newly formed counties.

At the time, Anaconda was a bustling mining community and a major rail hub. Sheriffs transporting prisoners to the state prison often traveled by train as far as Anaconda, where arrangements for the remainder of the journey were limited to prison pickup or private transport services.

Whether by coincidence or careful planning, five Montana sheriffs found themselves in Anaconda at the same time. A local newspaper reported that they gathered to discuss issues and concerns common to sheriffs across the state. Unfortunately, the reporter never shared the details.

What were Montana sheriffs talking about in 1911? Staffing shortages? Budget challenges? Transporting prisoners across long distances? New technologies of the day? Public expectations? Some things may have changed dramatically over the last 115 years, while others may sound surprisingly familiar.

Whatever the topics, those conversations laid the foundation for what would become the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association. An association of collaboration, professional development, tradition, leadership, and mutual aid support that continues today.

As we gather once again next week, we're reminded that some of the best ideas still come from sheriffs, deputies, detention officers, and peace officers sitting down together to solve problems and share what works.

06/03/2026

June is MSPOA History Month so lets start with a historical installment called "BACK IN MY DAY"

Back in my day, deputies had paper maps in the patrol car, knew every back road in the county without GPS, and didn’t carry much more than a badge and a revolver

Reports were handwritten, backup wasn’t a thing, and if the radio crackled after midnight, you answered it whether you were trying to make it home, branding calves, or heading to bed.

Folks stopped by the sheriff’s office just to visit and kids wanted to sit in the patrol car. That was a time when a deputy could get through an entire shift without carrying a computer, body camera, cell phone, and a notebook full of passwords!

Law enforcement has changed a lot over the years. Technology, communities, and expectations may have changed but the heart of the profession hasn’t.

Sheriffs and deputies still show up when people need help. They still serve their communities with kindness, compassion, common sense, and a willingness to answer the call no matter the hour.

The job may look different than it did back in the day, but good officers continue to adapt and meet the needs of the people and communities they serve just like back in the day.

05/27/2026

Law Enforcement is Public Service

In a State like ours, the sheriff’s office is about a whole lot more than enforcing the law. It’s helping folks on the worst day of their lives, checking on neighbors in a storm, finding a lost child, answering the phone in the middle of the night, and showing up when somebody needs help.

Sheriffs and deputies serve the people of their communities every single day. At its heart, this profession is about service, responsibility, and looking out for one another.

We are lucky to be in a State where the public is still grateful for the hardworking law enforcement officers keeping us all safe.

05/20/2026

05/15/2026

Law Enforcement Officers and supporters attend LEO Memorial Day Celebration in Deer Lodge today.

This year MSPOA President Brent Colbert presided over the ceremony and Lewis and Clark County Sheriff, Leo Dutton, was the keynote speaker.

Thanks to everyone who came out in the cooler temps to honor the fallen men and women of law enforcement!

05/13/2026

During National Police Week, and especially on Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15, MSPOA remembers and honors the 144 peace officers who never made it home from their shift.

One line of duty death is too many. The loss reaches far beyond the badge, leaving a permanent mark on families, agencies, communities and the state of Montana.

Police week is our opportunity to remember the officers who served the people of Montana and gave their lives in the line of duty, honor the families who will always carry the loss, and recognize the officers who continue to serve and protect the 56 counties in our state every day.

05/05/2026

During National Correctional Officers Week, MSPOA honors the dedicated officers behind locked doors who handle challenging, vital work in public safety.

Our Detention Officers work long hours managing difficult situations, de-escalating conflicts, and ensuring the security and care for those in custody. Their daily responsibilities require strength, patience, and resilience.

We are proud to stand with them and recognize their often unseen, but crucial, role. You are valued. You are respected. You do not go unnoticed.

Take a moment to thank detention officers in your community this week!

04/29/2026

MSPOA President’s Spotlight

Lewis and Clark County Undersheriff Brent Colbert, a Helena native and Gulf War veteran, serves as the current President of the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association.

Brent joined the MSPOA Board in June 2022 and was quickly elected to the Executive Board. As President, he is responsible for advancing the mission and vision of the association while ensuring its core values guide every decision.

With a career spanning decades at the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office — from detention officer to Undersheriff — Brent has served in patrol, rural substations, and leadership roles. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has been recognized as Deputy of the Year and as the American Legion Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

Outside of work, Brent enjoys connecting with his wife, Cindi, their two sons, and spending time outdoors or in his wood shop.

Brent brings steady leadership and a commitment to public safety as the President. Thank you for taking the MSPOA reins this year Brent!

04/23/2026

This week, the MSPOA Board is gathered for a strategic planning session focused on how we can better support the dedicated deputies and detention officers serving in the 56 Sheriffs' Offices the state, and ultimately, how we can continue to protect and serve the citizens of Montana.

Every discussion, idea, and decision comes back to serving our citizens, keeping the peace, and ensuring our personnel have the equipment, training, resources, and support they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.

If you’ve ever wondered how to spot a room full of sheriffs….just look for the side table stacked with cowboy hats. It’s a clear sign that experience, leadership, and a deep commitment to our communities are hard at work.

We’re grateful for the time, perspective, and dedication our Board members bring to the table and for their continued commitment to the Office of Sheriff in Montana.

04/13/2026

This week, the Montana Sheriff and Peace Officers Association recognize and thank our dispatchers for their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serving our community!

When someone calls 911, they are often scared, hurt, or facing one of the worst moments of their life. On the other end of that line is a calm voice ready to help. Before a deputy, firefighter, or ambulance arrives, a dispatcher is already working—gathering information, giving life-saving instructions, and making sure help is on the way.

Most people will never see the work they do inside the dispatch center, but every call they answer helps protect the citizens of our communities. Thank you for being the calm voice in the chaos. We appreciate you more than words can express!