(a) (1) The Department has the general duty to safeguard the lives and safety of all persons in the State, to protect property, and to assist in securing to all persons the equal protection of the laws.

(2) Specifically, this duty includes the responsibility to:

(i) preserve the public peace;

(ii) detect and prevent the commission of crime;

(iii) enforce the laws and ordinances of the State, counties, and municipal corporations;

(iv) apprehend and arrest criminals and those who violate or are lawfully accused of violating the laws and ordinances of the State, counties, and municipal corporations;

(v) preserve order at public places;

(vi) maintain the safe and orderly flow of traffic on public streets and highways;

(vii) cooperate with and assist law enforcement agencies in carrying out their respective duties;

(viii) investigate any death of an inmate suspected to be a homicide within or outside a correctional facility as provided in § 9-602.1 of the Correctional Services Article; and

(ix) discharge the duties and responsibilities of the Department with the dignity and in a manner that will inspire public confidence and respect.

(b) The Department shall:

(1) administer the laws that relate to:

(i) the sales of pistols and revolvers;

(ii) the licensing and supervision of private detective agencies;

(iii) the certification of private detectives and security guards;

(iv) the registration of eavesdropping or wiretapping devices; and

(v) the inspection of classes of motor vehicles as provided elsewhere in the Code; and

(2) perform any other duty that may be assigned by the General Assembly.