§ 31-2-3. Enforcement duties of administrator.
(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is vested with the power and is
charged with the duty of observing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of
chapters 1 — 50 of this title and of all laws regulating the operation of vehicles,
or the use of the highways, the enforcement or administration of which is now or hereafter
vested in the division of motor vehicles.
(b) The administrator shall appoint any subordinates he or she may require for the proper
performance of his or her duties. The administrator, and any subordinates designated
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§ 31-2-3. Enforcement duties of administrator.
(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is vested with the power and is
charged with the duty of observing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of
chapters 1 — 50 of this title and of all laws regulating the operation of vehicles,
or the use of the highways, the enforcement or administration of which is now or hereafter
vested in the division of motor vehicles.
(b) The administrator shall appoint any subordinates he or she may require for the proper
performance of his or her duties. The administrator, and any subordinates designated
by the administrator, shall have and exercise throughout this state the same authority
to make arrests for violations of statutes relating to motor vehicles and to enforce
those statutes as police or town constables have in their respective jurisdictions,
including the power of arrest without warrant for any violation of title 31. The administrator,
and any subordinates designated by the administrator, may serve all process lawfully
issued by the administrator. Whenever a complaint is made of any violation of the
provisions of the aforementioned chapters by the administrator of the division of
motor vehicles, or those subordinates designated by him or her to enforce these provisions,
he or she shall not be required to furnish surety for cost or be liable for cost upon
any complaint. The administrator, and any subordinates he or she may designate, may
bear and use firearms and may be equipped with uniforms as prescribed by the administrator
of motor vehicles in accordance with the policing and enforcing provisions as prescribed
by this section.
(c) The administrator may provide for training for those persons designated with authority
to make arrests and shall issue to each such person credentials showing his or her
identity and these credentials shall be carried upon their person while in the discharge
of his or her duties.
(d) At no time may any subordinate authorized to make arrests stop a motorist for any
violation of the motor vehicle law while the motorist is operating a vehicle upon
any highway of this state, unless that subordinate is operating or riding in a division
of motor vehicles vehicle that is plainly marked "Division of motor vehicles� or unless
the motorist is fleeing from pursuit by a division of motor vehicles officer.
(e) The administrator may adopt any further regulations that he or she may deem necessary
to implement this section.