Subdivision 1. Authorization. The commissioner of corrections may appoint peace officers, as defined in section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), who shall serve in the classified service subject to the provisions of section 43A.01, subdivision 2, and establish a law enforcement agency, as defined in section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (f), known as the Department of Corrections Fugitive Apprehension Unit, to perform the duties necessary to make statewide arrests under sections 629.30 and 629.34. The jurisdiction of the law enforcement agency is limited to the arrest of Department of Corrections' discretionary and statutory released violators and Department of Corrections' escapees.

Subd. 2. Limitations. The initial processing of a person arrested by the fugitive apprehension unit for an offense within the agency's jurisdiction is the responsibility of the fugitive apprehension unit unless otherwise directed by the law enforcement agency with primary jurisdiction. A subsequent investigation is the responsibility of the law enforcement agency of the jurisdiction in which a new crime is committed.

Subd. 3. Policies. The fugitive apprehension unit must develop and file all policies required under state law for law enforcement agencies. The fugitive apprehension unit also must develop a policy for contacting law enforcement agencies in a city or county before initiating any fugitive surveillance, investigation, or apprehension within the city or county. These policies must be filed with the board of peace officers standards and training by November 1, 2000. Revisions of any of these policies must be filed with the board within ten days of the effective date of the revision. The Department of Corrections shall train all of its peace officers regarding the application of these policies.

Subd. 4. Chief law enforcement officer. The commissioner of corrections shall appoint a full-time peace officer, who shall serve in the classified service subject to the provisions of section 43A.01, subdivision 2, to be the chief law enforcement officer and to be responsible for the management of the fugitive apprehension unit. The chief law enforcement officer shall possess the necessary police and management experience to manage a law enforcement agency. The chief law enforcement officer will have supervisory responsibility for all fugitive apprehension unit members as defined in section 179A.03, subdivision 17. Supervisory personnel must be available any time fugitive apprehension unit members are on duty. The chief law enforcement officer may not hire part-time peace officers as defined in section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (d).

Subd. 5. Emergencies. (a) The commissioner of corrections shall ensure that all emergency vehicles used by the fugitive apprehension unit are equipped with radios capable of receiving and transmitting on the same frequencies used by the law enforcement agencies that have primary jurisdiction.

(b) When the fugitive apprehension unit receives an emergency call, it shall notify the public safety agency with primary jurisdiction and coordinate the appropriate response.

(c) Fugitive apprehension unit officers shall notify the primary jurisdiction of their response to the emergency.

Subd. 6. Compliance. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the fugitive apprehension unit shall comply with all other statutes to include all deadly force training requirements as defined in section 626.8452 and all administrative rules relating to the operation and management of a law enforcement agency.

History: 2000 c 291 s 1; 2005 c 10 art 2 s 4; 2012 c 155 s 2