2006 Code of Virginia § 46.2-217 - Enforcement of laws by Commissioner; authority of officers

46.2-217. Enforcement of laws by Commissioner; authority of officers.

The Commissioner, his several assistants, including those who are full-timesworn members of the enforcement division of the Department of MotorVehicles, and police officers appointed by him are vested with the powers ofsheriffs for the purpose of enforcing the laws of the Commonwealth which theCommissioner is required to enforce. Such full-time sworn members of theenforcement division of the Department of Motor Vehicles are herebyauthorized to enforce the criminal laws of the Commonwealth, when violationsof same are committed in their presence or occur in their plain view, whilethey are otherwise engaged in enforcing the laws of the Commonwealth whichthe Commissioner is required to enforce. Any such violations, which do notrelate to laws the Commissioner is required to enforce and which may requirefollow-up investigatory or other work, shall be promptly referred to theappropriate law-enforcement or criminal justice agency or department.

Nothing in this title shall relieve any law-enforcement officer, commissionerof the revenue, or any other official invested with police powers and duties,state or local, of the duty of assisting in the enforcement of such lawswithin the scope of his respective authority and duty.

All law-enforcement officers appointed by the Commissioner may administeroaths and take acknowledgments and affidavits incidental to theadministration and enforcement of this title and all other laws relating tothe operation of motor vehicles, applications for driver's licenses, and thecollection and refunding of taxes levied on gasoline. They shall receive nocompensation for administering oaths or taking acknowledgments.

(Code 1950, 46-38; 1958, c. 541, 46.1-37; 1984, c. 780; 1989, c. 727;1993, c. 533.)