Two decades ago, Police Chief Bob Jones took the reins of the Great Falls Police Department at a time when officers displayed
a tough-guy persona and carried batons and old-style revolvers.
"In 1986, it was 'Hill Street Blues' with leather jackets and baseball caps," Jones, 57, said. "We got rid of the baseball
caps immediately."
Two decades ago, radioing for backup meant the officer wasn't tough enough to handle
the call on his or her own.
Monday, with only hours left in a 35-year career, Jones reflects on the last two decades of public safety and how it's
changed under his tenure.
Advanced technology has improved communication and response time. Detectives solved a number of cold cases. But most of
all, the department has moved toward proactive, community policing.
Officers roam the schools, educate the community about what designates an emergency, coordinate neighborhood watch programs,
and teach DARE and street law to high school and elementary school students.
"We put the department out into the community, and it has benefited tenfold," Jones said. "Prevention is where it's at."
Jones grew up in a mobile home west of Benefis East. Back then, 10th Avenue South was gravel, he said.
Each day, two police officers would stand on 10th Avenue South stopping traffic so Jones and other Lincoln Elementary School
students could walk safely to school.
"I was really impressed with them," said Jones of the police officers. He never strayed from his elementary school dream
of becoming a police officer.
Jones graduated from Great Falls High in 1967. He joined the Great Falls Police Department in 1971 and became chief in
August 1986.
Now, he is one of the longest-serving police chiefs in Montana.
"I was a little scared back then," Jones said. "My priority was survival."
Capt. Timothy Shanks, the senior most officer at the department other than Jones, remembers walking Central Avenue —
the "drag" — before the start of each shift to make sure kids weren't blocking intersections, congregating or making
noise. That was one of the biggest problems facing Great Falls in 1986.
"Back in the old days, you had to knock heads to get things done," Shanks said. "Back then, you wouldn't question your
supervisor. Some supervisors could be heard saying, 'Do you really need backup?'"
Much of Jones philosophy stems from treating people with respect. Laughter, fun and openness are intrinsic parts of the
department's working environment, he said.
"It's all about the way you treat people in a police department," Jones said. "They'll go out and treat the public the
same way."
One of the first things Jones did as chief was identify needed improvements in technology.
"We made quantum leaps in our technology of police work," City Manager John Lawton said. "That is one of the major changes
we have made. A great deal of time has been spent on technology."
The city and county 9-1-1-dispatch center consolidated in 1987, streamlining communication between the two agencies. Great
Falls was the first to track emergency calls from cell phones.
City officials remapped every residential home in Cascade County and noted the owner's name, address and whether the home
has gas or electrical heating. Technology even allows dispatchers to send pictures of the house to computers in every police
car, Jones said.
The police mapped entries to every school and, for example, knows whether the roof could support the weight of a helicopter,
Jones said.
"Public safety needs to be coordinated," said Jones. "The focus was delivery of services. The politics and bitterness was
fierce in putting together the 9-1-1 center. But if a tragic event occurs, we are that much further prepared in our response."
Jones also made a point to educate himself in crimes occurring elsewhere.
"We always need to be abreast of what's happening on the East Coast and West Coast because it will migrate," he said.
The early 90's brought about a huge shift toward community policing.
The police department responded to complaints from downtown businesses regarding transients by designating an officer to
that area. The same happened at the Great Falls Housing Authority.
In August 1990, the first month an officer was assigned to the Great Falls Housing Authority, police responded to 192 calls
in the area.
"We dreaded getting that area of town because you could be caught up there for two-to-three hours with numerous calls,"
Shanks said.
Today, calls range between 70 and 90 a month, and most are neighbors calling police when they see something suspicious,
Director Kevin Hager said. Also, Hager notices less graffiti in the neighborhood.
"We've had a great partnership with the police department," Hager said. "It has drastically cut (the number of calls).
It's a more proactive approach."
Sometimes, the police didn't need to flex their muscles to get the job done.
Jones had Great Falls Park and Recreation employees sweep the train tracks near Gibson Park to cut down on transient problems.
Jones also persuaded M & H Gas & Groceries to stop selling cheap, 40-ounce beer. The change helped clean up the downtown
district.
At one point, officers responded 200 times a year to the downtown Roberts Apartments regarding issues the landlord could
have handled, Jones said. He sat down with the landlord and tenants and educated them about what designates a police response.
Although Jones never suspected in 1986 that police would one day roam the schools, he knew a strong police presence was
needed. Police officers stepped into the schools permanently in the early 90s. It became a deterrent for bad behavior, Jones
said.
Plus, the police department has taken school policing to the next level. Elementary school students learn the dangers of
using drugs and alcohol in DARE classes and police teach a senior-level street law class at both high schools.
The community also has embraced the Neighborhood Watch program, which encourages neighbors to police and watch out for
each other.
When Jones became chief, he didn't want any homicides or officers killed — both of which have happened.
Officer Shane Chadwick was killed in the line of duty in 1994.
"I took full responsibility for that shooting," Jones said.
He will remember that incident as the toughest moment of his career.
Jones said he feels the same leaving the police department as he did when he became chief 20 years ago — scared to
death.
He hopes his ranching business keeps him busy, otherwise Jones suspects he will start looking for another job.
"I can't stay forever," he said. "Everything I've done is for the community. I may want to do something for me."
Despite the leaps and bounds the police department has made under his leadership, the humble servant of Great Falls refuses
to take credit.
"I'm not sure I have a legacy yet," said Jones, tears welling up in his eyes. "But I'm at a point it would be okay to leave."
