Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 12 - LAW ENFORCEMENT, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, AND MILITARY AFFAIRS (§§ 12-1-101 — 12-88-109) › Subtitle 2 - LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS (§§ 12-6-101 — 12-20-301) › Chapter 20 - LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND PRIVATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (§§ 12-20-101 — 12-20-301) › Subchapter 2 - LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS (§§ 12-20-201 — 12-20-203) › Section 12-20-201 - Appointment and removal of private school or private college or university law enforcement officers

(a)
An executive head of a private school or private college or university may appoint one (1) or more of the employees of the private school or private college or university as a private school or private college or university law enforcement officer for the private school or private college or university, who shall exercise law enforcement officer authority under the laws of this state.
(b)
A private school or private college or university law enforcement officer shall:
(1)
Have all the powers, duties, and obligations provided under the law for municipal police departments and county sheriffs, to be exercised as required for the protection of the private school or private college or university, together with any other duties that may be assigned by the employing private school or private college or university; and
(2)
Meet the requirements for certification set out by the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training in addition to any private school or private college or university requirements.
(c)
(1)
The jurisdictional powers or responsibilities of a county sheriff or municipal police department over the property of a private school or private college or university or a person on the property of a private school or private college or university are not ceded to a private school or private college or university law enforcement officer.
(2)
The appointment or designation of private school or private college or university law enforcement officers does not supersede the authority of the Division of Arkansas State Police, a county sheriff, or a municipal police department of the jurisdiction within which the property of the private school or private college or university, or portions of it, is located.
(d)
(1)
A private school or private college or university law enforcement officer shall be identified by a shield or badge bearing the name of the private school or private college or university.
(2)
The private school or private college or university shall issue an identification card bearing the photograph of the private school or private college or university law enforcement officer who shall carry it on his or her person at all times when on duty and display it upon request.
(e)
(1)
A private school or private college or university law enforcement officer's authorization to have and to exercise the powers provided by law for law enforcement officers shall be further evidenced by a letter of appointment issued under the seal of the private school or private college or university.
(2)
The executive head of the private school or private college or university shall maintain a file containing each private school or private college or university law enforcement officer's letter of appointment and all other certificates and information consistent with the rules of the commission.
(3)
(A)
The executive head of the private school or private college or university or the division may revoke in writing the appointment to serve as a private school or private college or university law enforcement officer for the private school or private college or university.
(B)
Upon revocation as described in subdivision (e)(3)(A) of this section, the person shall not possess or exercise the authority of a private school or private college or university law enforcement officer.
(C)
A copy of all revocations shall be placed into the file described in subdivision (e)(2) of this section.
(D)
A private school or private college or university employing a private school or private college or university law enforcement officer shall notify the commission of any change in the private school or private college or university law enforcement officer's status within three (3) days.
(f)
A private school or private college or university law enforcement officer shall not be reimbursed with state funds for any training he or she receives or be eligible to participate in any state or municipal retirement system.
Amended by Act 2021, No. 535,§ 4, eff. 7/28/2021.
Added by Act 2013, No. 227,§ 3, eff. 8/16/2013.