18B-500. Alcohol law-enforcement agents.

(a) Appointment. - The Director of the State Bureau of Investigation shall appoint alcohol law-enforcement agents and other enforcement personnel. The Director may also appoint regular employees of the Commission as alcohol law-enforcement agents. Alcohol law-enforcement agents shall be designated as "alcohol law-enforcement agents". Persons serving as reserve alcohol law-enforcement agents are considered employees of the Alcohol Law Enforcement Branch for workers' compensation purposes while performing duties assigned or approved by the Head of the Alcohol Law Enforcement Branch or the Head's designee.

(b) Subject Matter Jurisdiction. - After taking the oath prescribed for a peace officer, an alcohol law-enforcement agent shall have authority to arrest and take other investigatory and enforcement actions for any criminal offense. The primary responsibility of an agent shall be enforcement of the ABC and lottery laws and G.S. 14-313 regarding youth access to tobacco products.

(c) Territorial Jurisdiction. - An alcohol law-enforcement agent is a State officer with jurisdiction throughout the State.

(d) Service of Commission Orders. - Alcohol law-enforcement agents may serve and execute notices, orders, or demands issued by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission or the North Carolina State Lottery Commission for the surrender of permits or relating to any administrative proceeding. While serving and executing such notices, orders, or demands, alcohol law-enforcement agents shall have all the power and authority possessed by law-enforcement officers when executing an arrest warrant.

(e) Discharge. - Alcohol law-enforcement agents are subject to the discharge provisions of G.S. 18B-202.

(f) Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 507, s. 6.2(a).

(g) Shifting of Personnel From One District to Another. - The Head of the Alcohol Law Enforcement Branch, under rules adopted by the Department of Public Safety may, from time to time, shift the forces from one district to another or consolidate more than one district force at any point for special purposes. Whenever an agent of the Alcohol Law Enforcement Section is transferred from one district to another for the convenience of the State or for reasons other than the request of the agent, the Department shall be responsible for transporting the household goods, furniture, and personal apparel of the agent and members of the agent's household.