Employment of state law enforcement officers by Alabama Department of Homeland Security.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 31-9A-9, the Alabama Department of Homeland Security may hire, appoint, and maintain APOST certified state law enforcement officers. Such officers shall receive the same rights and benefits as those prescribed to officers of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, except for the purposes of retirement. The officers shall have the same retirement benefits as a law enforcement officer as defined under Section 36-27-59.

(b) Unless a violation of state law occurs in their presence, officers authorized under this section shall not engage in routine law enforcement activity, except for those investigative and analytical duties necessary to carry out the enforcement of this chapter and to fulfill the mission of the Alabama Department of Homeland Security or those duties necessary to provide assistance to other law enforcement agencies.

(c) The Director of the Alabama Department of Homeland Security shall have the authority to promulgate rules for the enforcement of this chapter.

(Act 2011-535, p. 888, §22.)