A.  The deputy secretary for public safety services of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall issue a special officer’s commission from the office of state police through the Military Department, State of Louisiana, to each director of a local organization for civil defense appointed under the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. 29:608 which shall be termed a civil defense officer’s commission.  Such civil defense officer’s commission shall be valid only during emergency situations in which the assistance of the civil defense organization is necessary.  

B.  The civil defense officer shall have the same powers and duties as a peace officer except for the power to arrest or utilize a weapon in carrying out his duties; provided, however, that when not performing those tasks directly related to the civil defense officer’s commission, he shall be regarded as a private citizen and his commission shall not be in effect.  

C.  The deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety may promulgate and adopt regulations providing with respect to the issuance and use of a civil defense officer’s commission which shall not be inconsistent with the duties of a civil defense director.  Every civil defense officer’s commission issued under the provisions of this Section shall expire whenever any person who has received such commission ceases to be the director of a local organization for civil defense appointed under the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. 29:608.  

Added by Acts 1978, No. 324, §1; Acts 1990, No. 2, §3, eff. July 1, 1990.