38 U.S.C. § 902: Enforcement and arrest authority of Department police officers

enforce Federal laws; enforce the rules prescribed under section 901 of this title ; enforce traffic and motor vehicle laws of a State or local government (by issuance of a citation for violation of such laws) within the jurisdiction of which such Department property is located as authorized by an express grant of authority under applicable State or local law; carry the appropriate Department-issued weapons, including firearms, while off Department property in an official capacity or while in an official travel status; conduct investigations, on and off Department property, of offenses that may have been committed on property under the original jurisdiction of Department, consistent with agreements or other consultation with affected Federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies; and carry out, as needed and appropriate, the duties described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) when engaged in duties authorized by other Federal statutes. Subject to regulations prescribed under subsection (b), a Department police officer may make arrests on Department property for a violation of a Federal law or any rule prescribed under section 901(a) of this title , and on any arrest warrant issued by competent judicial authority. Beginning not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the Joseph Maxwell Cleland and Robert Joseph Dole Memorial Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2022, the Secretary shall require Department police officers to use cameras worn on the individual police officer’s person that record and store audio and video (commonly known as “body worn cameras”). policies with respect to the exercise by Department police officers of the enforcement and arrest authorities provided by this section; the scope and duration of training that is required for Department police officers, with particular emphasis on dealing with situations involving patients; and rules limiting the carrying and use of weapons by Department police officers. The powers granted to Department police officers designated under this section shall be exercised in accordance with guidelines approved by the Secretary and the Attorney General. Rates of basic pay for Department police officers may be increased by the Secretary under section 7455 of this title . arrests made by and tickets issued by Department police officers; prosecutions, ticketing, and other actions relating to such arrests; the use of force and weapons discharge by Department police officers; and complaints, investigations, and disciplinary actions regarding Department police officers. Contact information for employees of the Department and the public to directly contact the police force of the facility, including for an individual (or the representative, attorney, or authorized agent of the individual) to request information regarding the arrest, ticketing, detainment, use of force, or other police matters pertaining to that individual. The Secretary shall ensure that each police force of a facility of the Department is able to provide to an individual who contacts the police force pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) the information described in such paragraph. Arrests made by and tickets issued by Department police officers. Prosecutions, ticketing, and other actions relating to such arrests. The use of force and weapons discharge. Complaints, investigations, and disciplinary actions. The Secretary shall carry out subparagraph (A) by implementing one or more Department-wide data systems. Beginning not later than one year after the date of the enactment of the Joseph Maxwell Cleland and Robert Joseph Dole Memorial Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2022, the Secretary shall ensure that each incident described in subparagraph (C) is promptly reported to the Assistant Secretary with responsibility for operations, preparedness, security, and law enforcement functions. review each incident described in subparagraph (C)(i) that is reported under subparagraph (A); and investigate each incident described in subparagraph (C)(ii) that is reported under subparagraph (A). An incident, including an allegation, of the use of force by a Department police officer. An incident, including an allegation, of the use of force by a Department police officer that results in any person receiving medical attention. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [ Dec. 29, 2022 ], the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall issue, and make publicly available, guidance on the use of body worn cameras by Department police officers pursuant to section 902(a)(3) of title 38 , United States Code, as amended by paragraph (1). The term ‘body worn camera’ means a camera worn on an individual police officer’s person that records and stores audio and video. The term ‘Department police officer’ means an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs described in section 902(a) of title 38 , United States Code.” The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide to Department police officers an annual training on the prevention of suicide among the population served by the Department police officers. Effective behavioral science procedures for suicide prevention and risk mitigation. Crisis intervention and de-escalation skills, including through the use of interactive training. Information about mental health and substance abuse disorders. Information about local law enforcement crisis intervention teams and other resources for veterans experiencing mental health crises available by the Department of Veterans Affairs, other elements of the Federal Government, and the community in which the police officers serve. The Secretary shall ensure that the annual training provided to Department police officers at a medical facility of the Department under subsection (a) is provided in consultation with law enforcement training accreditation organizations and the mental health experts at such facility. local community mental health organizations and experts, local community veterans organizations, and local community criminal justice organizations and experts; and local police departments, including by facilitating the sharing of training resources with crisis intervention teams of the local police departments. a description of the curriculum of such training; the number of facilities of the Department that conducted such training; the number of Department police officers who received such training; and any barriers to ensuring that each Department police officer receives such training; any recommendations to address the barriers identified under paragraph (2)(C); and the number of facilities of the Department that have entered into partnerships pursuant to subsection (d). In this section, the term ‘Department police officer’ means an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs specified in section 902(a) of title 38 , United States Code.”