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Title 14 — Coast GuardRelease 119-73

§525 Special agents of the Coast Guard Investigative Service law enforcement authority

Title 14 › Subtitle SUBTITLE I— - ESTABLISHMENT, POWERS, DUTIES, AND ADMINISTRATION › Chapter CHAPTER 5— - FUNCTIONS AND POWERS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - LIFE SAVING AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES › § 525

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Allows some special agents in the Coast Guard Investigative Service to carry firearms, serve federal warrants and other legal papers, and arrest people without a warrant when a crime happens in their presence or when they have probable cause to believe a felony was or is being committed. They may use these powers only to enforce laws the Coast Guard can enforce or in urgent situations. The Commandant chooses which agents get these powers based on their investigative duties. Agents must follow rules the Commandant sets that are approved by the Attorney General and any other applicable rules from the Secretary or the Attorney General.

Full Legal Text

Title 14, §525

Coast Guard — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)A special agent of the Coast Guard Investigative Service designated under subsection (b) has the following authority:
(A)To carry firearms.
(B)To execute and serve any warrant or other process issued under the authority of the United States.
(C)To make arrests without warrant for—
(i)any offense against the United States committed in the agent’s presence; or
(ii)any felony cognizable under the laws of the United States if the agent has probable cause to believe that the individual to be arrested has committed or is committing the felony.
(2)The authorities provided in paragraph (1) shall be exercised only in the enforcement of statutes for which the Coast Guard has law enforcement authority, or in exigent circumstances.
(b)The Commandant may designate to have the authority provided under subsection (a) any special agent of the Coast Guard Investigative Service whose duties include conducting, supervising, or coordinating investigation of criminal activity in programs and operations of the United States Coast Guard.
(c)The authority provided under subsection (a) shall be exercised in accordance with guidelines prescribed by the Commandant and approved by the Attorney General and any other applicable guidelines prescribed by the Secretary or the Attorney General.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 116–283 substituted “individual” for “person”. 2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 95 of this title as this section. 2012—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 112–213 struck out “of Homeland Security” after “Secretary”. 2002—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 107–296 substituted “of Homeland Security” for “of Transportation”. 1998—Pub. L. 105–383 substituted “Special agents of the Coast Guard Investigative Service law

Enforcement

authority” for “Civilian agents authorized to carry firearms” as section catchline and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Under

Regulations

prescribed by the Secretary with the approval of the Attorney General, civilian special agents of the Coast Guard may carry firearms or other appropriate weapons while assigned to official investigative or law

Enforcement

duties.”

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2002 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 107–296 effective on the date of transfer of the Coast Guard to the Department of Homeland Security, see section 1704(g) of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as a note under section 101 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

14 U.S.C. § 525

Title 14 — Coast Guard

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73