After a nationwide search, the City of Bozeman announced today that a longtime local officer will take the top job.

Jim Veltkamp, who has worked in multiple roles in the Bozeman Police Department since 1999 and was previously serving as interim Police Chief, will assume the role of Police Chief for the Bozeman Police Department starting immediately.

His hire comes after the previous Police Chief, Steve Crawford, left the department for a role in the Montana State Department of Justice in September.

Several rounds of interviews were conducted and two different community forums were established to find the best qualified applicants, but Veltkamp's experience clearly established him as a top candidate.

"The City received a number of highly qualified applicants from across the country for this position, but Chief Veltkamp continued to shine," said Bozeman City Manager Jeff Mihelich, who was in charge of the hire. "We are ecstatic to have him continue his career at the city.”

“This process was thorough, transparent, and had significant engagement from the community," Mihelich added. "We’re confident in Chief Veltkamp’s leadership and ability to elevate the work of this department to the next level.”

Since joining the Bozeman Police Department in 1999, Veltkamp has worked as a patrol officer, patrol sergeant, drug detective with the Missouri River Drug Task Force, and a captain in both the support services and patrol divisions. His involvement has also included expanding community involvement, upgrades to technology, improving the health and well-being of officers and staff, and helping facilitate the department's response to a rapidly expanding population to the city of Bozeman.

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