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Public Act 92-0339
HB2247 Enrolled LRB9208215EGfg
AN ACT in relation to fire inspectors.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Peace Officer Fire Investigation Act is
amended by changing Section 1 as follows:
(20 ILCS 2910/1) (from Ch. 127 1/2, par. 501)
Sec. 1. Peace Officer Status.
(a) Any person who is a sworn member of any organized
and paid fire department of a political subdivision of this
State and is authorized to investigate fires or explosions
for such political subdivision, or who is employed by the
Office of the State Fire Marshal to determine the cause,
origin and circumstances of such fires or explosions that are
suspected to be arson or arson-related crimes, may be
classified as a peace officer by the political subdivision or
agency employing such person. A person so classified shall
possess the same powers of arrest, search and seizure and the
securing and service of warrants as sheriffs of counties, and
police officers within the jurisdiction of their political
subdivision. While in the actual investigation and matters
incident thereto, such person may carry weapons as may be
necessary, but only if that person has satisfactorily
completed (1) a training program offered or approved by the
Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board which
substantially conforms to standards promulgated pursuant to
the Illinois Police Training Act and "An Act in relation to
firearms training for peace officers", approved August 29,
1975, as amended; or in the case of employees of the Office
of the State Fire Marshal, a training course approved by the
Department of State Police which also substantially conforms
to standards promulgated pursuant to "An Act in relation to
firearms training for peace officers", approved August 29,
1975, as amended; and (2) a course in fire and arson
investigation approved by the Office of the State Fire
Marshal pursuant to the Illinois Fire Protection Training
Act. Such training need not include exposure to vehicle and
traffic law, traffic control and accident investigation, or
first aid, but shall include training in the law relating to
the rights of persons suspected of involvement in criminal
activities.
Any person granted the powers enumerated in this Section
may exercise such powers only during the actual investigation
of the cause, origin and circumstances of such fires or
explosions that are suspected to be arson or arson-related
crimes.
(b) The State Fire Marshal must authorize to each
employee of the Office of the State Fire Marshal who is
exercising the powers of a peace officer a distinct badge
that, on its face, (i) clearly states that the badge is
authorized by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and (ii)
contains a unique identifying number. No other badge shall
be authorized by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, except
that a badge, different from the badge issued to peace
officers, may be authorized by the Office of the State Fire
Marshal for the use of fire prevention inspectors employed by
that Office.
(Source: P.A. 91-883, eff. 1-1-01.)
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.
Passed in the General Assembly May 15, 2001.
Approved August 10, 2001.
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