Police Department

The city of Mountain Home is the largest city and county seat of Elmore County. The population at the time of the 2010 census was 14,206. Mountain Home is a safe and excellent place to live and raise a family with a genuine sense of community. As MHPD and Animal Shelter employees, you should know that we not only work here, but we live here and raise our families here. We are involved in our community. Mountain Home Police Department has 30 police officers and 6 civilian staff members, along with 4 Animal Shelter employees.

At the Mountain Home Animal Shelter, we believe “We are their shelter. You are their future”. We encourage you to explore and visit our Facebook site often to learn more about the men and women who serve with the Mountain Home Police Department and Animal Shelter.

Patrol Bureau

The goal of the Patrol Bureau is to address community problems and assure a safe community environment through random, directed and routine patrols. As the most visible and largest bureau of the police bureau, the Patrol Bureau provides the first response to emergency and non-emergency incidents. Patrol personnel proactively address community problems, use various specialized units with special training and deliver police services to city residents. A total of 18 officers make up the patrol bureau which is led by Lieutenant Larsen, as well as four Sergeants. Patrol Officers are scheduled to provide 24 hour coverage. Many extra duty assignments in the Patrol Bureau include a Motor Unit, Special Response Team (SRT), Field Training Officer, and School Resource Officer (SRO). As with any bureau, the Patrol Bureau is the backbone of the agency, with most of the bureau's resources being put into this bureau.  

School Resource Officers

The School Resource Officer (SRO) position is an integral part of the Mountain Home Police Department and of the community. They are responsible for monitoring the schools, providing community outreach to the youth of the city and interacting with the children to keep them safe and informed. SRO Don Allen focuses his SRO duties at the high school and also assists the city's elementary schools when necessary. Our SRO can often be found assisting with many, if not all, of the school's larger functions, such as dances, sporting events and special events.  

Investigations Bureau

Under the command of Lieutenant Larsen, detectives are assigned to follow up on all major crimes. The members of the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) are responsible for investigating serious crimes against persons and property, to include: murder, assault, sex abuse, child abuse, rape, burglary, major theft, fraud and computer crimes. They provide investigative support, as well as develop and share intelligence information within the department, and with outside law enforcement agencies to ensure the effective and efficient follow up of all major crimes that require investigative personnel and resources. You can report a crime and remain anonymous by visiting the Silent Witness Link. If you would like to file a complaint against an officer, please click here.

Records

The Records Division of the Support Services Bureau falls under the command of Amy Pearson. The Records Division is responsible for handling all record requests, background checks, fingerprinting, general questions and accident reports. Records Request Form  

Careers

For more information on applying for a position within the Mountain Home Police Department, please click here.

The Mountain Home Citizens on Patrol started with just four members in 1994 and in the time has grown to as many as 40 members. While membership numbers may fluctuate, the program is still able to get patrols out to assist as additional eyes and ears for the police and in our community. Currently, the Mountain Home Citizens on Patrol has five marked cars equipped with two way radio and top lights. This helps them in assisting with traffic control, funeral escorts, air ambulance services, vacation watch requests and other details as directed. If you're interested in becoming a Citizen on Patrol, contact Lieutenant Ty Larsen for more information on how you can help, or complete the Citizens on Patrol Application.

Vacation Watch

If you're anticipating a vacation in the near future and would like some peace of mind, complete the Citizens on Patrol Vacation Watch Request form. You can sign it and return it to the Mountain Home Police Bureau at least two weeks before you leave. While you're away, the Citizens on Patrol will check your premises as often as commitments allow. The City of Mountain Home and Citizens on Patrol will not be held liable for any losses to your property while you are away. Remember to include an emergency contact as well as anyone that you have allowed to be on your property while you are away. Vacation Watch Application Tips while you're away:

• leave a light on
• stop your mail and newspaper delivery

Come Join Our Team!

The MHPD is always accepting applications and interest cards for various positions in the department to include police officers.  Interest cards for positions are available in the lobby of the police building and if you fill one out, you will be contacted for scheduling at one of our quarterly testing dates.

If you are interested in applying with our agency, please complete an application and submit it with the following items:

• Copy of your Resume
• Copy of your Birth Certificate
• Copy of your High School Diploma or GED
• Copy of your DD214
• Copy of any College Transcripts

Completed applications and the aforementioned items can be sent to the address below:

Mountain Home Police Department
Attn: Careers
2775 East 8th North
Mountain Home, ID 83647

All applications will be reviewed for an upcoming recruit testing date, which will include the Idaho POST Physical Fitness Test Battery, a written exam, and an oral board.

A testing day will typically begin at 8:00 a.m. sharp, and will start with the physical fitness test battery (PT Test). Upon successful completion of the PT test, the applicant will advance to the written exam, and upon successful completion of the written exam, the applicant will be given a slot on the Oral Board.

After all the testing criteria are successfully met, as well as the basic requirements for the position, the applicant will have an interview with the Chief of Police and the Command Staff to determine eligibility for the position.

Career Information

• MHPD Employment Application
• Hiring Process
• Hiring Incentive
• Summary of Benefits
• POST PT Battery

Does MHPD offer fingerprinting?  Fingerprinting services are offered at 2775 E. 8^th North Street in Mountain Home between 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, no appointments necessary. Our fee is $10.00 for the first card and $5.00 for each additional card, CASH only.  If you are needing a fingerprint background check or name-based background check not related to licensing or employment, please visit https://isp.idaho.gov/bci/background-checks for more information.

Will MHPD inspect the installation of my child car seat?  Yes, effective August 17^th, 2023, MHPD will once again have a certified inspector on staff.  We will be happy to check the installation of your child’s car seat at the police department building during business hours.  Please contact Lieutenant Ty Larsen prior to set up an appointment for this service, (208)587-2102 or tlarsen@mhpd.net.

Can I get an MHPD shoulder patch for my personal collection?  Unfortunately, due to a rise in theft of uniform parts and impersonations of officers, MHPD will no longer provide patches to private collectors.  We are able to provide patches to law enforcement agencies that request a patch on their department letterhead.

Is the MHPD accepting applications for employment?  Yes, we are currently accepting applications for the position of police officer, at both the entry level and for lateral-POST certified officers.  Click on this link for more information. 

Do your officers serve civil paperwork such as evictions, subpoenas and no contact orders?  The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for serving court-related and civil paperwork such as eviction notices, subpoenas and no contact or restraining orders.  Their office is at 2255 E 8^th N, Mountain Home, 208-587-3370. 

Do your officers do civil standbys?  Yes, we will in certain circumstances.  Please call the non-emergency dispatch line at (208)587-2100 first and an officer can call you back to discuss this.  We also recently installed a new camera and “Safe Exchange” parking spots at the front of the PD building (located at 2775 E 8^th N) to facilitate civil standby, custody exchanges and e-commerce purchases.  

Do I have to wait 24 hours to file a missing person or runaway report?  No, there is no requirement to wait any length of time to file a report, especially if there are suspicious circumstances or medical issues.  Please report these instances as soon as possible and be prepared to answer detailed questions about the person being reported missing.  These details may include basic descriptors as well as vehicle information, clothing, friends names and addresses, medical and/or mental health history and health provider information.