DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES: LIMITED LAW ENFORCEMENT POWERS

(a) The executive director or the executive director's designee may authorize employees of the department to transport offenders and to apprehend escapees from any division of the department. An employee acting under authority granted by the executive director has the same powers and duties as a peace officer under the laws of this state, except that the employee may not act without receiving express orders from the executive director or the executive director's designee, and may exercise those powers and perform those duties throughout the state. (b) The department may allow employees who are granted law enforcement authority under this section to assist municipal, county, state, or federal law enforcement officers if: (1) the assistance is requested for an emergency situation that presents an immediate or potential threat to public safety if assistance is not received, including apprehending an escapee of a municipal or county jail or privately operated or federal correctional facility; and (2) the department determines that the assistance will not jeopardize the safety and security of the department and its personnel. (b-1) An employee who assists under Subsection (b) a law enforcement officer in the performance of the officer's duties has the same powers and duties as the officer requesting assistance. (c) An employee of the department may not enforce the laws of this state relating to the prevention of misdemeanors and the detention of persons who commit misdemeanors, including laws regulating traffic and the use of state highways. (d) An employee described by Subsection (a) may not be considered a peace officer for any purposes other than those specified under this section and is not required to be certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.