Appointment of lake patrolmen. Requirements for carrying a firearm or baton by lake patrolmen. Liability. Training courses

(a) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may appoint lake patrolmen to enforce any boating laws delegated by said commissioner. Any such lake patrolman may carry a firearm or baton, or both, only upon completion of a basic police training course defined in section 7-294a or a firearms safety course offered by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Such lake patrolmen shall not be construed to be state employees and compensation therefore shall be paid by the municipality or lake authority responsible for the lake. Such lake patrolmen may use their own vessels to enforce the provisions of this section, provided the state shall not be liable for any damage caused by a lake patrolman using such vessel in the course of such lake patrolman's duties. A municipality employing lake patrolmen shall assume liability for damage caused by such patrolmen pursuant to section 7-465. A lake authority may protect and save harmless any lake patrolman employed by the authority from financial loss and expense, including legal fees and costs, if any, arising out of any claim, demand, suit or judgment by reason of alleged negligence on the part of such lake patrolman while acting in the scope of such lake patrolman's employment. (b) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall formulate training courses for lake patrolmen appointed pursuant to this section.