(a) The division may enforce the provisions of this code and all labor laws of the state the enforcement of which is not specifically vested in any other officer, board or commission. Except as provided in subdivision (d), in the enforcement of such provisions and laws, the director, deputy director, and such officers and employees as the director may designate, shall only have the authority, as public officers, to arrest without a warrant, any person who, in his presence, has violated or as to whom there is probable cause to believe has violated any of such provisions and laws.
In any case in which an arrest authorized by this subdivision is made for an offense declared to be a misdemeanor, and the person arrested does not demand to be taken before a magistrate, the arresting officer may, instead of taking such person before a magistrate, follow the procedure prescribed by Chapter 5C (commencing with Section 853.6) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code. The provisions of such chapter shall thereafter apply with reference to any proceeding based upon the issuance of a citation pursuant to this authority.
(b) There shall be no civil liability on the part of and no cause of action shall arise against any person, acting pursuant to this section and within the scope of his authority, for false arrest or false imprisonment arising out of any arrest which is lawful or which the arresting officer, at the time of such arrest, had reasonable cause to believe was lawful. No such officer shall be deemed an aggressor or lose his right to self-defense by the use of reasonable force to effect the arrest or to prevent escape or to overcome resistance.
(c) The director, deputy director, and such officers and employees as the director may designate, may serve all processes and notices throughout the state.
(d) With respect to the enforcement of the provisions of this code and other labor laws as provided in subdivision (a), all officers and employees designated by the Labor Commissioner as investigators, shall have the authority of peace officers to make arrests, and may serve processes and notices as provided in subdivision (c).
(Amended by Stats. 1971, Ch. 701.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018