(a) It shall be the duty of the Uniform Division:

(1) To enforce the laws of this state relating to the use, ownership, control, licensing, and registration of motor vehicles and Code Sections 32-9-4 and 40-6-54, relating to designation of restricted travel lanes;

(2) On property owned by this state or any agency thereof:

(A) To enforce the criminal laws of this state;

(B) To apprehend and arrest any person who violates the criminal laws of this state; and

(C) To serve and execute warrants;

(3) To apprehend and arrest any person who is a fugitive from justice;

(4) To suppress riots, labor strikes, or picketing, as provided by law, at the direction of the Governor on request made by the chief of police of any municipality or the sheriff of any county; and

(5) (A) To make initial inquiries into any situation which occurs off the public roads and highways and which occurs under circumstances where it has reasonable grounds to believe a criminal law has been, is being, or is about to be violated. The Uniform Division shall further have the duty to make arrests in connection with such initial inquiries.

(B) Any initial inquiry or arrest which is made pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall be initiated only if a local law enforcement officer is not readily available and the member of the Uniform Division reasonably believes that his failure to act could result in the commission of a criminal act or the escape of a person who has committed a criminal act. In any action taken by the Uniform Division under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the Uniform Division shall relinquish jurisdiction to the local law enforcement agency as soon as possible under the circumstances.

(b) The Uniform Division shall cooperate with all law enforcement agencies of this state or any municipality, county, or other political subdivision thereof in enforcing the laws of this state, any other state, or the United States relating to the operation of motor vehicles. The commissioner may, and in the case of a request by the Governor shall, authorize and direct the Uniform Division to cooperate with and render assistance to any law enforcement agency of this state or any municipality, county, or other political subdivision thereof in any criminal case, in the prevention or detection of violations of any law, or in the apprehension or arrest of persons who violate the criminal laws of this state, any other state, or the United States, upon a request by the governing authority or chief law enforcement officer of any municipality, the sheriff of any county, a judge of the superior court of any county, or the Governor.

(c) The commissioner may, and in the case of a request by the Governor shall, authorize and direct the Uniform Division to:

(1) Provide security protection services, or transportation or escort services, or both to coaches, players, and referees and other officials in connection with collegiate athletic events involving an institution of the University System of Georgia which offers four-year postsecondary degrees when such security protection services, or transportation or escort services, or both are necessary or appropriate to deter actual or potential threats to the safety of such individuals;

(2) Provide services which are necessary or appropriate to promote the safety of the collegiate athletic teams of such institutions of the University System of Georgia which offer four-year postsecondary degrees or the general public or both or to facilitate travel by such collegiate athletic teams or the general public or both;

(3) Allow personnel of the Uniform Division, while on duty and in uniform, to accompany collegiate athletic teams of such institutions of the University System of Georgia which offer four-year postsecondary degrees traveling to athletic events inside or outside the state and to make use of department vehicles for this purpose, provided that the department shall be reimbursed by such affected institution of the University System of Georgia for any expenses incurred by such personnel of the Uniform Division while carrying out such duties; and

(4) Allow personnel of the Uniform Division, while on duty and in uniform, to provide security at special events at any location, whether or not the event takes place on state property.

(d) In no case where the Uniform Division is exercising any power or performing any duty authorized by this Code section shall it usurp any of the duties or authority of any sheriff of any county, any chief of police of any municipality, or any chief of police of any county police force.

(e) The duties and powers of the Uniform Division, as provided for in this Code section, shall be in addition to any other duties or powers provided by law.