What Is the Dedicated Downtown Police Officer (DDPO) Program? 

The DDPO program is a partnership that designates selected officers to patrol Downtown Missoula as well as focus on getting to know the inhabitants of the district, including business owners, employees, residents, and general consumers. Through connections, collaboration, and problem-solving, the Downtown Police Officers focus on building trust and relationships with the Downtown community, crime prevention, improving response times and action, and directing those in need to services.

Downtown business owners and property owners asked for an expansion of the program to two officers during the renewal of the Downtown BID in February 2020. The Downtown BID and the Missoula Police Department pursued and received a community-oriented policing services grant that helps fund a second officer for the next three years. In 2023 and 2024, the Downtown BID renewed one-year contracts with the Missoula Police Department to sustain two Downtown Officers, providing 7-day week coverage, year-round within the district.

 

Who Funds the DDPO Program? 

The DDPO program is funded by the Downtown Missoula Partnership (which hosts the BID), the City of Missoula, the Missoula Parking Commission, and Mountain Line. The Dedicated Downtown Policing Program has reduced crime and improved the quality of life on the streets, sidewalks, alleys, parks, trails, and parking lots of Downtown Missoula.

Meet the Downtown Missoula DDPOs

There are currently two Downtown Dedicated Police Officers (DDPO), officers Amanda Hardin and Rob Castro. 

 

Officer Amanda Hardin

Officer Amanda Hardin became a Dedicated Downtown Police Officer in December of 2022.  Officer Hardin has served with the Missoula Police Department since 2019 and started her Law Enforcement career in 2012 in the Dallas, Texas area. She is certified in Crisis Intervention (CIT -Crisis Intervention Team) in both Montana and Texas. Throughout her career, she has served in the patrol division, and detectives’ division (Texas), and is a composite artist who assists with identifying suspects through facial composite sketches.

Officer Hardin lives in the Missoula area with her husband, David Hardin. They enjoy spending their time outdoors camping, skiing, and hiking. Officer Hardin is also a local artist and photographer.

 

Officer Rob Castro

In July 2024, Officer Rob Castro took on the role of Downtown Police Officer, bringing a wealth of experience from his service in other roles with the Missoula Police Department since 2021. Throughout his career, Officer Castro has served as a School Resource Officer, Firearms Instructor, and Motor Officer, demonstrating a strong commitment to public safety and community engagement.

Officer Castro is passionate about the outdoors, often spending his free time mountain biking and exploring Missoula’s natural beauty. He lives in Missoula with his wife and three children, who share his love for local favorites like Zoo Thai. Having previously served on a temporary basis with the BID, Officer Castro is thrilled to now support Downtown Missoula full-time, dedicated to keeping the heart of our community safe and vibrant.

 

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2024 Activity

Our Downtown Dedicated Police Officers log their interactions within the Business Improvement District core.  In conjunction with the interactions listed below, our officers are charged with managing abandoned vehicles, graffiti reports, traffic issues and vehicle accidents, property recovery, and animal control. So far this year, January-April, over 1,396 extra patrols in and around our Downtown parks, our library, The Poverello Center, street parking, and parking garages have occurred.

City police provide additional patrol services to multiple areas of Downtown, including the Missoula Public Library, the Mountain Line Transit Center, the Northside Pedestrian Bridge, and all Downtown parks and parking structures. A thriving and vibrant Downtown is a safe Downtown. For more information on Downtown Policing, contact Officer Amanda Hardin via phone (406) 552-6300 or email ([email protected]).