The Commissioner of Agriculture may, upon the application of the Oystermen's Protective Association of Connecticut or the owner of any oyster franchise or grounds or any natural growers' association, during such time as the commissioner may determine, appoint and commission such number of policemen as he deems necessary to be designated by such association or owner, who, having been sworn to the faithful performance of their duties, may act as policemen upon the tidal waters and flats of this state and upon any boats, wharves or docks owned, leased or controlled by said association or a member thereof or an owner of oyster grounds. Said commissioner shall cause a record to be made of the issuance or revocation of any such commission. Any person so appointed shall have the powers to make arrests and, when on duty, shall wear in plain view a badge bearing conspicuously the words “Shellfish Policeman”.

(1949 Rev., S. 5043; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 344; 1972, P.A. 52, S. 14; P.A. 00-99, S. 70, 154; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(e); P.A. 04-189, S. 1.)

History: 1971 act replaced references to shellfish commissioners and commission with references to environmental protection commissioner; 1972 act replaced environmental protection commissioner with commissioner of agriculture; P.A. 00-99 deleted reference to sheriff, effective December 1, 2000; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Commissioner of Agriculture with Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004.