Section 26. At the request of the commissioner, the colonel of state police may appoint employees of the department of revenue as special police officers, each to serve subject to removal by the colonel of state police. Such police officers shall report to the colonel of state police as to their official acts at such time and in such manner as he may require. They shall serve without pay, except their regular compensation as employees of the department of revenue, and shall have and exercise throughout the commonwealth powers of state police officers to serve warrants and other criminal processes and to arrest and detain any person violating any provision of this chapter.