(a) All investigators employed by the district attorney’s office of the Thirty-sixth Judicial Circuit shall have all the powers and authority and immunities of a deputy sheriff. All investigators employed by the district attorney’s office of the Thirty-sixth Judicial Circuit shall meet the minimum standards required of law enforcement officers as provided in Section 36-21-46, or as otherwise provided by law.
(b)(1) All investigators employed by the district attorney’s office of the Thirty-sixth Judicial Circuit, who have been employed as such for the past 17 years, on May 17, 1993, shall be grandfathered as to the requirements of Section 36-21-46, and shall be deemed qualified as meeting the minimum standards for applicants and appointees as law enforcement officers.(2) After May 17, 1993, the Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission shall issue a certificate of compliance with Section 36-21-46 to existing investigators of the Thirty-sixth Judicial Circuit, provided they meet the time requirement of subsection (a).
