Indiana § 36-8-3-10 - Police departments, chiefs, and captains; powers and duties

Full text of Indiana Indiana Code § 36-8-3-10 — Police departments, chiefs, and captains; powers and duties, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 36-8-3-10. Police departments, chiefs, and captains; powers and duties

Sec. 10. (a) The police department shall, within the city:

(1) preserve peace;

(2) prevent offenses;

(3) detect and arrest criminals;

(4) suppress riots, mobs, and insurrections;

(5) disperse unlawful and dangerous assemblages and assemblages that obstruct the free passage of public streets, sidewalks, parks, and places;

(6) protect the rights of persons and property;

(7) guard the public health;

(8) preserve order at elections and public meetings;

(9) direct the movement of vehicles in public ways or public places;

(10) remove all nuisances in public parks or public ways;

(11) provide proper police assistance at fires;

(12) assist, advise, and protect strangers and travelers in public ways or at transportation facilities;

(13) carefully observe and inspect all places of business under license, or required to have them; and

(14) enforce and prevent the violation of all laws in force in the city.

(b) The police chief and each captain, in the captain's precinct or district, may supervise and inspect all pawnbrokers, vendors, junkshop keepers, cartmen, expressmen, dealers in secondhand merchandise, intelligence offices, architectural salvage material dealers (as defined in IC 24-4-16-3), and auctions. Any member of the department may be authorized by the chief in writing to exercise the same powers.

[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citation: 18-1-11-7 part.]

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.52. Amended by P.L.63-2008, SEC.6.

Source: official Indiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana § 36-8-3-10

What does Indiana Code § 36-8-3-10 cover?

Section 36-8-3-10 ("Police departments, chiefs, and captains; powers and duties") is part of the Indiana Code, the codified statutory law of Indiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Indiana § 36-8-3-10?

A common citation format is "Indiana Code § 36-8-3-10" (Indiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Indiana law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Indiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Indiana attorney.

How does Indiana § 36-8-3-10 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Indiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Indiana.