Storytelling Bootcamp: Kalispell Police Chief Rises Through the Ranks

Editor's Note: The Daily Inter Lake brought six rising freshmen together this summer for a weeklong storytelling bootcamp where they learned the fundamentals of interviewing and writing a profile story. 

Flathead Valley local Jordan Venezio went from an aspiring real-estate agent to the Kalispell chief of police.  

“I got into law enforcement a little more unusual than most people,” Venezio said. “I didn’t have any plan, interest or desire to be in law enforcement.”

Venezio got into law enforcement at 21 years old in 2009 when the real estate market crashed. He was introduced to the career by a friend of his who worked for the Kalispell Police Department. He has stayed with the police force ever since he joined the department.

He continued with the career rising through the ranks and eventually was named police chief on July 1, 2023, at just 35 years old. He still continues as chief of police at 38 years old.

In his job, he oversees many different tasks. He is currently in an administrative role as chief, managing budgets, policies, as well as providing tools and resources for officers to be able to work proficiently. Along with these, he also partakes in many community and department meetings to help improve the Kalispell area.  

“I work with other department heads for the betterment of the city,” he said.

He works in a small office in the downtown Kalispell police station with 54 sworn officers and 12 support staff members. Even with his mostly administrative work, he still sometimes dons his official navy-blue uniform and wears his duty belt.

He says character is very important for a career in law enforcement.

“Character is everything,” he said. “Especially now as I hire a significant amount of people and have people who want to be police officers.”

He also said officers should value the purpose of law enforcement in helping the community.

Venezio said he personally strives to maintain the right mindset, and to separate his personal life from police work.

“You see a lot of really, really hard things in law enforcement, and you see people on their very worst day,” he said. “And over time, if you’re not very intentional about it, you can start to feel like that is the world we live in.”

He makes sure to keep personal connections outside of law enforcement. Keeping some separation from his work helps him realize the good that his department does.

“You can get pretty jaded, and I think that’s the biggest challenge: knowing every day the good that you do and having that continue to drive you,” he said.

Venezio is unsure about how far into the future he will continue to work in law enforcement, but he is sure of one thing.

“Whatever I do next will be something that gives me the same fulfillment and desire to just be a good community member,” he said.

The Inland Northwest Journalism Foundation (INJF) champions ethical local journalism as a vital cornerstone of democracy. Through grants, scholarships, and educational opportunities, we empower sustainable editorial initiatives and support journalists within privately owned media companies. By protecting community voices and preserving archives, INJF works to prevent news deserts and ensure impactful storytelling continues to inform, connect, and inspire communities throughout the Inland Northwest.

If you'd like to support local journalism in northwest Montana, follow this link: Inland Northwest Journalism Western Montana - Innovia Foundation