Commissioner of public safety may appoint special officers.

(a) The commissioner of public safety may appoint as special officers qualified police officers of the federal, state, or local government units or other persons with adequate police training over the age of 19 years, as the commissioner considers necessary to aid and assist the division of state troopers in the enforcement of the criminal laws of the state. Each special officer appointed serves without compensation and at the pleasure of the commissioner of public safety and appointments shall be of limited duration.

(b) Each person appointed as a special officer under this section may prevent crime, pursue and apprehend offenders, obtain legal evidence, institute criminal proceedings, execute warrants of arrest or search and seizure, or other criminal process issuing from any court of the state. A special officer may make arrests in the same manner as a member of the division of state troopers. The authority and duties conferred by this section may be exercised in each case only within the geographical limits determined by the commissioner of public safety.

(c) Each special officer shall carry identification issued by the commissioner of public safety and shall carry firearms in the manner the commissioner of public safety requires. Each person appointed shall take the constitutional oath of office. Persons appointed may hold other public or private employment.

(d) [Repealed, § 3 ch 6 SLA 1978.]