Tennessee § 13-20-419 - Security force.

§ 13-20-419. Security force.

In cities with a population of over one hundred thousand (100,000), according to the 1970 federal census or any subsequent federal census, each housing authority, managing and operating housing projects for persons of low income under this chapter may, if funds can be provided for this purpose, provide a security force for such project to assure the safety of the tenants and their property and the safety and the protection of the premises. While acting in such capacity, an officer of such force has the same authority as a law enforcement officer as defined in § 39-11-106(a), and may receive a written directive to carry a handgun under § 39-17-1315 if such officer meets the qualifications in § 38-8-106 and the training requirements of § 38-8-107(a). While acting in such capacity, such officer has the authority to make arrests for offenses committed on the property of such public housing project. Acts 1973, ch. 240, §§ 1, 2; T.C.A., § 13-919; Acts 1997, ch. 126, § 1. Compiler's Notes. For tables of population of Tennessee municipalities, and for U.S. decennial populations of Tennessee counties, see Volume 13 and its supplement. Attorney General Opinions. Public housing authority officers may attend basic and specialized schools at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Academy, OAG 00-096, 2000 Tenn. AG LEXIS 98 (5/22/00). Public housing authority officers are required to attend state or POST approved in-service training if they intend to have the same authority as a law enforcement officer and carry a handgun, OAG 00-096, 2000 Tenn. AG LEXIS 98 (5/22/00). Public housing authority officers will be regulated by the Tennessee POST commission if they have the same authority as a law enforcement officer and if they carry a handgun, OAG 00-096, 2000 Tenn. AG LEXIS 98 (5/22/00). Public housing authority officers are required to attend basic police recruit training at a state or POST approved training academy if they have the same authority as a law enforcement officer and carry a handgun, OAG 00-096, 2000 Tenn. AG LEXIS 98 (5/22/00). Public housing authority officers may legally transport their own prisoners, OAG 00-096, 2000 Tenn. AG LEXIS 98 (5/22/00). Public housing authority officers have jurisdiction on public roads and rights-of-way if they are located on the property of the public housing project, OAG 00-096, 2000 Tenn. AG LEXIS 98 (5/22/00). Public housing authority officers may legally form mutual aid and other agreements with other law enforcement agencies, OAG 00-096, 2000 Tenn. AG LEXIS 98 (5/22/00). Public housing authority officers may also be called “law enforcement officers,” OAG 00-096, 2000 Tenn. AG LEXIS 98 (5/22/00). Public housing authority officers have a duty to act if they observe criminal conduct in the area of their jurisdiction, OAG 00-150, 2000 Tenn. AG LEXIS 152 (10/5/00). T.C.A. § 13-20-419 does not require law enforcement officers from another agency to transport public housing authority arrestees, OAG 00-150, 2000 Tenn. AG LEXIS 152 (10/5/00). Public housing authority officers are local, rather than federal or state, officers, OAG 00-150, 2000 Tenn. AG LEXIS 152 (10/5/00). T.C.A. § 13-20-419 does not provide that public housing authority officers are under a civil service system; however, the nature of the local civil service system and/or the agreement between the authority and the municipality may provide for coverage, OAG 00-150, 2000 Tenn. AG LEXIS 152 (10/5/00). Public housing officers have the police powers necessary to enforce the laws of the state within their jurisdiction, OAG 00-150, 2000 Tenn. AG LEXIS 152 (10/5/00).