IC 5-16-9-11: Complaints; summons; volunteers

Sec. 11. (a) A law enforcement agency authorized to enforce:

(1) section 5 or 8 of this chapter; or

(2) an ordinance described in section 9 of this chapter;

may appoint volunteers to issue complaints and summonses for violations of section 5 or 8 of this chapter or an ordinance described in section 9 of this chapter.

(b) A volunteer appointed under this section must:

(1) be at least twenty-one (21) years of age;

(2) complete a course of instruction concerning the enforcement of this chapter that is conducted by the appointing law enforcement agency;

(3) after successfully completing the course of instruction, obtain a certificate from the executive authority of the appointing law enforcement agency; and

(4) satisfy any other qualifications established by the law enforcement agency.

(c) The executive authority of a law enforcement agency that appoints volunteers under this section shall file a copy of each certificate issued under subsection (b)(3) with the prosecuting attorney having jurisdiction over the area served by the law enforcement agency.

(d) A complaint and summons issued by a volunteer appointed under this section has the same force and effect as a complaint and summons issued by a law enforcement officer for the same violation.

(e) A volunteer appointed under this section does not have powers of a law enforcement officer except those powers granted under this section.

(f) The executive authority of a law enforcement authority that appoints a volunteer under this section may, at any time, revoke the certificate issued to the volunteer under subsection (b)(3). If a certificate is revoked under this subsection:

(1) the executive authority shall notify the prosecuting attorney where the certificate was filed under subsection (c) of the revocation; and

(2) the volunteer's powers under this section terminate immediately upon the revocation.

(g) A volunteer may not issue a complaint and summons upon private property unless the law enforcement agency first receives permission from the property owner or the property manager.

(h) A property owner is not liable for any property damage or personal injury resulting from the actions of a volunteer in issuing a complaint and summons.