Crimes and Offenses; definition of law enforcement officer; provide

More officers qualify under Georgia arrest law

Georgia expands who counts as a law enforcement officer under its criminal and arrest laws, alongside peace officers. State or federal officers qualify when helping Georgia agencies during a Governor-declared emergency or disaster. Appointed police chiefs and law enforcement department heads qualify from appointment through their required training deadline. Officers certified or commissioned in another state also qualify when employed by a Georgia state or local law enforcement agency before completing required Georgia training. Their out-of-state credentials must remain in good standing and authorize arrests and carrying firearms on duty. Full-time federal officers qualify when in good standing and authorized to carry firearms on duty and arrest for federal crimes. These federal officers can serve at a Georgia peace officer’s request or to prevent imminent death or bodily harm.