The Commissioner of the Department of Revenue may designate and appoint qualifying employees or agents of the Department of Revenue as law enforcement officers as defined by the Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure.
(1) Qualifying employees or agents designated as peace officers shall be appointed by the Commissioner of the Department of Revenue provided that they have complied with the requirements set forth by the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission.
(2) Law enforcement officers of the Department of Revenue shall investigate the commission or suspected commission of tax evasion, tax fraud, and other matters administered by the Department of Revenue including the enforcement and administration of tobacco tax, gasoline tax, and tax on motor fuels or any substitute thereof, licensing and registration of motor vehicles, and violations of Title 13A, Title 32, and this title. Revenue law enforcement officers so designated are authorized to issue or cause to be issued citations, tickets, complaints, subpoenas, and other process so as to commence and direct actions, prosecutions, and proceedings to be instituted to enforce the laws of this state.