§ 2270. — Authority of Office of Inspector General.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 7USC2270]
TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER 55--DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Sec. 2270. Authority of Office of Inspector General
Any person who is employed in the Office of the Inspector General,
Department of Agriculture, who conducts investigations of alleged or
suspected felony criminal violations of statutes, including but not
limited to the Food Stamp Act of 1977 [7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.],
administered by the Secretary of Agriculture or any agency of the
Department of Agriculture and who is designated by the Inspector General
of the Department of Agriculture may--
(1) make an arrest without a warrant for any such criminal
felony violation if such violation is committed, or if such employee
has probable cause to believe that such violation is being
committed, in the presence of such employee;
(2) execute a warrant for an arrest, for the search of premises,
or the seizure of evidence if such warrant is issued under authority
of the United States upon probable cause to believe that such
violation has been committed; and
(3) carry a firearm;
in accordance with rules issued by the Secretary of Agriculture, while
such employee is engaged in the performance of official duties under the
authority provided in section 6, or described in section 9, of the
Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App. 6, 9). The Attorney General
of the United States may disapprove any designation made by the
Inspector General under this section.
(Pub. L. 97-98, title XIII, Sec. 1337, Dec. 22, 1981, 95 Stat. 1294.)
References in Text
The Food Stamp Act of 1977, referred to in text, is Pub. L. 88-525,
Aug. 31, 1964, 78 Stat. 703, as amended, which is classified generally
to chapter 51 (Sec. 2011 et seq.) of this title. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out
under 2011 of this title and Tables.
Sections 6 and 9 of the Inspector General Act of 1978, referred to
in text, are sections 6 and 9 of Pub. L. 95-452, which are set out in
the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
Effective Date
Section effective on such date as the Secretary of Agriculture may
prescribe, taking into account the need for orderly implementation, see
section 1338 of Pub. L. 97-98, set out as an Effective Date of 1981
Amendment note under section 2012 of this title.
