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Georgia Code - Motor Vehicles & Traffic - Title 40, Section 40-16-4

Legal Research Home > Georgia Laws > Motor Vehicles and Traffic > Georgia Code - Motor Vehicles & Traffic - Title 40, Section 40-16-4

(a) The commissioner shall establish such units within the department as he or she deems proper for its administration and shall designate persons to be directors and assistant directors of such units to exercise such authority as he or she may delegate to them in writing.

(b) The commissioner shall have the authority to employ as many persons as he or she deems necessary for the administration of the department and for the discharge of the duties of his or her office. He or she shall issue all necessary directions, instructions, orders, and rules applicable to such persons. He or she shall have authority, as he or she deems proper, to employ, assign, compensate, and discharge employees of the department within the limitations of the department́s appropriation and the restrictions set forth by law.

(c) All employees of the department shall be compensated upon a fixed salary basis and no person shall be compensated for services to the department on a commission or contingent fee basis.

(d) Neither the commissioner nor any officer or employee of the department shall be given or receive any fee, compensation, loan, gift, or other thing of value in addition to the compensation and expense allowance provided by law for any service or pretended service either rendered or to be rendered as commissioner or as an officer or employee of the department.

(e) The commissioner shall have the authority to appoint and employ 15 nonuniformed investigators who shall be certified peace officers pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 8 of Title 35, the 'Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Act.' The investigators shall have full arrest powers in cases involving internal affairs of the department and in cases involving fraud in applications for or the issuance of any license, permit, certificate, or other credential within the jurisdiction of the department. In such cases, the investigators shall be authorized:

(1) To investigate Department of Driver Services related crimes committed anywhere in the state;

(2) To arrest any person violating the criminal laws of this state;

(3) To serve and execute warrants after notifying the law enforcement agency of the local jurisdiction of the intent to serve such warrant or warrants;

(4) To enforce in general the criminal laws of this state; and

(5) To carry firearms while performing their duties.

Last modified: April 25, 2006