Crime Prevention

Bicycle Licensing

The Sidney Police Department encourages all bicycles to be licensed. To license a bicycle, take it to City Hall at 115 Second Street S.E. (next to the Fire Hall) and pay a one-time licensing fee of $2. The license will help deter theft, but should your bicycle be stolen, there will be a record of its description and serial number on file to aid in recovery.

Vacation Security Checks

If you will be away from home for an extended period of time, please call or stop by the Law Enforcement Center. Your information will be recorded and regular patrol officers on duty will be advised to provide extra patrol of your home while you are away.

Operation ID

Operation ID is a part of Montana Crime Watch. Operation ID has two parts. First, you mark all your easily stolen valuables so they can be identified as yours. Second, you display a sticker or poster which tells burglars that you have done so. To mark your property for Operation ID, you will need an engraving tool. If you do not have access to one, you may borrow a tool from the Law Enforcement Center. After you mark your property, your ID number will be kept on file and you will be provided with stickers declaring that your property is protected.

Big Muddy River Drug Task Force

The Sidney Police Department, Richland County Sheriff's Office, and Fairview Police Department are members of the Big Muddy River Drug Task Force and actively participate with law enforcement agencies in the surrounding cities and counties in a coordinated effort to battle drug trafficking and use in eastern Montana. If you have information on suspected drug activity, please contact your local law enforcement agency. Information regarding the fight against methamphetamine is provided by the Montana Meth Project.

D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)

D.A.R.E. is a drug education program which is taught in the public schools by a specially trained, uniformed police officer.

The Richland County D.A.R.E. Program began in the 1993 - 1994 school year, with one officer, Sergeant A.J. Olson, from the Sidney Police Department receiving D.A.R.E. officer training. In 1997, the Sidney Police Department sent Major Robert Burnison to D.A.R.E. training and he taught through May 2001. Lieutenant Lloyd Dopp attended training in June 2001, and taught through May 2005, when Major Robert Burnison again assumed the duties. Officer Travis Rosaaen became the current D.A.R.E. officer in January 2008.

The program is presented in all of the public elementary schools in Richland County, which includes Savage, Lambert, Fairview, Rau, Brorson, West Side Elementary, and Central Intermediate. In addition to the fifth grade program, a full seventh grade curriculum is presented to all of the seventh graders in Richland County, as well as visitation lessons for first through fourth grades.

Red Ribbon Week


Each October, we support the schools of Richland County in celebrating Red Ribbon Week to further our commitment to a drug-free community. Red Ribbon Week originated after D.E.A. Agent Enrique Camarena was murdered by drug traffickers while on duty in Mexico in 1985. As a result of his death, Red Ribbon Week was initiated to honor his sacrifice and to encourage others to take a stand against drugs. In the past, officers have handed out red ribbons to students and given talks encouraging them to stay drug free. Access the following information if you are looking for ideas or supplies to celebrate Red Ribbon Week:

Educational Talks

The Sidney Police Department will provide public talks covering a wide range of topics such as drugs, traffic, criminal justice, baby-sitting, Kid Care ID, etc. All requests for officers to speak publicly should be directed to the Chief of Police at 406-433-2210 or by writing him at:
Sidney Police Department
110 Second Avenue NW
Sidney, MT 59270.