Current through 2024 Legislative Session Act Chapter 510
Section 2516 - Authorization for local and out-of-state police officers(a) The Attorney General may authorize such members of any county or municipal police departments as the Attorney General deems necessary to have full statewide police, arrest and enforcement powers equivalent to those powers held by members of the Delaware State Police. The Attorney General shall give such authorization by oath for such period of time as the Attorney General specifies. The Attorney General shall have the authority to withdraw such authorization whenever the Attorney General deems necessary.(b) Such local police officers who have received such authorization shall remain for all other purposes as members of their respective police departments.(c) The Attorney General may authorize such members of police forces of jurisdictions outside the State as the Attorney General deems necessary to have full statewide police, arrest and enforcement powers equivalent to those powers held by members of the Delaware State Police. Such authorization shall be given under the procedures and conditions prescribed in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. (d) The Attorney General may, as the Attorney General deems necessary, authorize railroad police officers employed by (i) either a railroad company classified as a Class 1 rail carrier pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 10102 and the Interstate Commerce Commission or (ii) Amtrak to have police, arrest and enforcement powers for the purpose of investigating or preventing crimes which have occurred, are occurring or may occur on property that is owned, leased, operated or controlled by the railroad, or which involve the railroad's employees, passengers or patrons while such persons are on such property, or which involve property that is consigned or entrusted to the railroad for transportation purposes. The Attorney General shall give such authorization by oath for such period of time and pursuant to such conditions as the Attorney General deems necessary. The Attorney General shall have the authority to withdraw such authorization whenever the Attorney General deems necessary. Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, no person shall be authorized pursuant to this subsection unless such person is first certified as appropriately qualified by the Police Officers Standards and Training Commission and until memoranda of understanding are reached between the railroad and all appropriate law enforcement agencies. Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of a railroad police office employed by a rail carrier owning property in this State, and certified or commissioned under the laws of another state, to enforce the law and exercise the authority conveyed under 49 U.S.C. § 28101 or 49 C.F.R. 207. Amended by Laws 2023, ch. 149,s 10, eff. 8/7/2023.29 Del. C. 1953, § 2516; 59 Del. Laws, c. 177, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 366, § 1.;