AL SB70

Director and employees of The Etowah County Punishment and Corrections Authority shall be considered state law enforcement officers with arrest powers equivalent to deputy sheriffs, provided they hold current Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission certification.

Arrest powers are limited to investigations and arrests for criminal acts committed at authority facilities and violations of supervision conditions or criminal offenses by persons under the authority's supervision.

Authority personnel may arrest persons under supervision without a warrant upon probable cause that a criminal offense or supervision violation occurred, and shall prepare a written warrant to bring the offender before court for probable cause determination.

Court may order detention pending hearing and may revoke probation or participation in the authority's community corrections program following a warrantless arrest.

Director and employees exercising arrest powers must comply with minimum standards for state law enforcement officers as certified by the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission.

Act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and gubernatorial approval.