Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced the upcoming retirement of Bryan Lockerby, the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) administrator, effective December 13. Lockerby will retire after serving 12 years in the role and a distinguished 43-year career in law enforcement.
“It has been a pleasure working with Bryan over the last four years. He has been an integral part of my administration’s commitment to getting drugs off the streets, stopping human trafficking, and finding and holding criminals accountable,” Knudsen said. “He has had a long and distinguished career in law enforcement, and I wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
Reflecting on his career, Lockerby expressed gratitude for his experiences and colleagues.
“I am grateful to Attorney General Knudsen for his leadership, advocacy, and support of the DCI mission. It has been an honor to serve Montanans over the last 43 years,” Lockerby said. “I am thankful for my family who stood by me through every challenge, and proud to leave behind a team that embodies our values and commitment to supporting public safety.”
Attorney General Knudsen plans to appoint a new administrator or interim administrator by December 13 to lead the Division.
Lockerby began his law enforcement career in 1982 as a patrol officer with the Great Falls Police Department, where he served for 31 years. Rising through the ranks, he worked as a general case detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and ultimately captain of investigations. His tenure included conducting undercover narcotics investigations, attending the FBI National Academy, and leading the Department’s High-Risk Unit as tactical commander.
In 2013, Lockerby was appointed DCI administrator by former Attorney General Tim Fox and continued in the role under Knudsen’s administration in 2021. During his tenure, DCI expanded significantly, creating or enhancing several programs, including the Human Trafficking Unit, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, elder abuse investigations, and Montana’s drug task forces.
Lockerby also chaired the Rocky Mountain Information Network (RMIN), supporting law enforcement across eight states, and the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (RMHIDTA), which provides critical federal funding for regional drug task forces.
His leadership and dedication have left an enduring legacy in Montana law enforcement, with expanded programs and a strong focus on public safety and victim services.
By: DNU staff