§734. Livestock brand inspectors

            A. Livestock brand inspectors employed by the commissioner shall be commissioned by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections and, for the purposes of this Part, shall have the same power and authority as is vested in the state police. Inspectors shall have general jurisdiction throughout the state to enforce the provisions of the Louisiana Criminal Code as set forth in Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section, this Part, and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to the provisions of this Part.

            B. Personnel of the commission who are commissioned peace officers shall be under the direction, control, and supervision of the commissioner and shall have the following powers and duties:

            (1) To provide for the protection of the assets and property of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, to enforce the rules and regulations pertaining to the Louisiana Board of Animal Health adopted pursuant to Part I of Chapter 16 of Title 3 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as authorized in R.S. 3:2093, to enforce all of the provisions of this Part, and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to the provisions of this Part and provisions in the Louisiana Criminal Code relating to the theft of animals, the illegal branding or marking of animals, the disposition of strayed animals, the theft of any farm machinery, equipment, or supplies, and to perform such duties with respect to any other farm-related crime.

            (2) To take the following actions, with or without a warrant, when the inspector has probable cause to believe that the provisions of the Louisiana Criminal Code as set forth in Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section or this Part, or of the rules and regulations adopted under the provisions of this Part, have been violated:

            (a) To enter upon private land or premises.

            (b) To stop and search any airplane, automobile, truck, boat, or other vehicle.

            (c) To enter any establishment where livestock or carcasses are slaughtered, butchered, stored, or sold.

            (d) To hold livestock, carcasses, parts of carcasses, or hides for a reasonable time for the purposes of investigation and determination of ownership.

            (3) To arrest, with or without a warrant, any person who the inspector has probable cause to believe has violated the criminal provisions of this Part or the Louisiana Criminal Code as set forth in Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section.

            (4) To serve all warrants and other processes issued by courts of competent jurisdiction in connection with violations of the provisions of this Part and the rules and regulations adopted under the provisions of this Part or the Louisiana Criminal Code as set forth in Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section.

            (5) To cooperate with all other peace officers in the enforcement of the Louisiana Criminal Code as set forth in Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section, the provisions of this Part and the rules and regulations adopted under the provisions of this Part.

            (6) To be attired in a uniform approved by the commissioner and carry proper credentials evidencing their authority, which shall be exhibited upon demand of any person. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 49:121(E), every automobile, truck, or other vehicle belonging to the state that is used by an inspector shall conform with the provisions of R.S. 49:121(A)(1), (B), and (C).

            C. Additionally, while on special assignment during any riot, insurrection, or any declared disaster or while in protection of immovable property, movable property, assets, and resources of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, any commissioned livestock brand inspector shall possess all the powers and authority of regular law enforcement officers of this state.

            D. Upon the request of any regular law enforcement agency of this state, livestock brand inspectors shall prevent and detect crime, apprehend criminals, enforce the criminal and traffic laws of the state, keep the peace and good order in the state in the enforcement of the state's police powers, and perform any other related duties imposed upon them by the legislature.

            Acts 1982, No. 113, §1; Acts 1992, No. 33, §1; Acts 2008, No. 920, §1, eff. July 14, 2008; Acts 2009, No. 24, §1, eff. June 12, 2009; Acts 2018, No. 429, §1; Acts 2020, No. 159, §1.