KRS 227.235: Deputy fire marshals appointed as fire investigators -- Training required

for certification by Kentucky Law Enforcement Council -- Peace officer

powers -- Prohibited acts.

(1) A deputy fire marshal appointed to be a fire investigator and to exe rcise peace

officer powers shall take an oath to faithfully perform the duties of his or her office,

shall affirm that he or she possesses the minimum qualifications under KRS 15.382,

and shall undergo a basic training course approved by the Kentucky Law

Enforcement Council.

(2) The employing agency of the deputy fire marshal shall pay for the training required

for certification by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council.

(3) Upon the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council's verification that the required

standards have been met, a fire investigator shall have peace officer powers to

investigate crimes set out in KRS Chapter 513 and other crimes discovered in the

course of investigation.

(4) A fire investigator shall not:

(a) Patrol the roads, streets, or highways;

(b) Issue traffic citations; or

(c) Perform general law enforcement duties outside of investigating crimes set out

in KRS Chapter 513 and other crimes discovered in the course of

investigation.

(5) All fire investigators appointed to exercise peace officer powers under KRS

227.220 that are appointed on or after January 1, 2019, shall, within one (1) year of

their appointment or employment, successfully complete a basic training course as

established by KRS 15.440 at a school certified or recognized by the K entucky Law

Enforcement Council.

(6) All fire investigators specified in subsection (5) of this section shall, upon

completion of the basic training required, successfully complete forty (40) hours of

annual in-service training as established by KRS 15.440(1)(e) that has been certified

or recognized by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council.

(7) All fire investigators appointed or employed before January 1, 2019, shall

successfully complete forty (40) hours of annual in -service training as established

by KRS 15.440(1)(e) that has been certified or recognized by the Kentucky Law

Enforcement Council.

(8) In the event of extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the fire investigator

such as injury, illness, or personal tragedy which prevents the fire inves tigator from

completing the basic or in -service training within the time specified in this section,

the officer shall complete the training within one (1) year after return to duty. Any

fire investigator who fails to successfully complete the basic or in -service training

within the specified time period shall not be authorized thereafter to carry deadly

weapons or make arrests and may be removed from an appointment as a fire

investigator.