California · Penal Code

PEN §830.4: The following persons are peace officers whose authority extends to any place in the state for the purpose of performing their duties under the conditions as specified by statute.

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute defines which persons qualify as peace officers in California and specifies the geographic scope and conditions of their authority, including firearm authorization rules.

Read the full statutory text
The following persons are peace officers whose authority extends to any place in the state for the purpose of performing their duties under the conditions as specified by statute. Those peace officers may carry firearms only if authorized and under terms and conditions specified by their employing agency. (a) Members of the California National Guard have the powers of peace officers when they are involved in any or all of the following: (1) Called or ordered into active state service by the Governor pursuant to the provisions of Section 143 or 146 of the Military and Veterans Code. (2) Serving within the area wherein military assistance is required. (3) Directly assisting civil authorities in any of the situations specified in Section 143 or 146 of the Military and Veterans Code. The authority of the peace officer under this subdivision extends to the area wherein military assistance is required as to a public offense committed or which there is reasonable cause to believe has been committed within that area. The requirements of Section 1031 of the Government Code are not applicable under those circumstances. (b) Security officers of the Department of Justice when performing assigned duties as security officers. (c) Security officers of the college named in Section 92200 of the Education Code. These officers shall have authority of peace officers only within the City and County of San Francisco. Notwithstanding any other law, the peace officers designated by this subdivision shall not be authorized by this subdivision to carry firearms either on or off duty. Notwithstanding any other law, the act which designated the persons described in this subdivision as peace officers shall serve only to define those persons as peace officers, the extent of their jurisdiction, and the nature and scope of their authority, powers, and duties, and their status shall not change for purposes of retirement, workers’ compensation or similar injury or death benefits, or other employee benefits.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.