1. The department may designate by resolution certain of its employees upon each of whom there is conferred the authority of a peace officer to investigate and enforce all of the following:

 a. Laws relating to motor vehicle records, documents, credentials, procedures, and revenues, including but not limited to crimes and abuse of authority associated with fraud, identity theft, vehicle titles and registration, dealer licenses, and authorized vehicle recycler licenses.
 b. Laws relating to motor vehicle fraud including but not limited to the state and federal odometer laws, including as provided in sections 307.37 and 321.71.

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Terms Used In Iowa Code 321.477

  • Authorized vehicle recycler: means a person licensed to operate as a vehicle rebuilder, used vehicle parts dealer or vehicle salvager. See Iowa Code 321H.2
  • dealer: means every person engaged in the business of buying, selling, or exchanging vehicles of a type required to be registered under this chapter. See Iowa Code 321.24
  • Department: means the state department of transportation. See Iowa Code 321H.2
  • Director: means the director of the department. See Iowa Code 321I.1
  • following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
  • Motor vehicle: means a self-propelled vehicle purchased or leased in this state, except as provided in section 322G. See Iowa Code 322G.2
  • Person: includes any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, joint adventure, or association, and the plural as well as the singular number. See Iowa Code 321H.2
  • property: includes personal and real property. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" may include the said district and territories. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Vehicle: means any vehicle as defined in chapter 321. See Iowa Code 321H.2
 2. Employees designated as peace officers pursuant to this section shall have the same powers conferred by law on peace officers for the use of force in emergent circumstances and the apprehension of violators.
 3. Employees designated as peace officers pursuant to this section shall not exercise the powers of a peace officer set forth in this section within the limits of any city, except as follows:

 a. When so ordered by the direction of the governor.
 b. When request is made by the mayor of any city, with the approval of the director.
 c. When request is made by the sheriff or county attorney of any county, with the approval of the director.
 d. While in the pursuit of law violators or in investigating law violations.
 e. While making any inspection provided by this chapter, or any additional inspection ordered by the director.
 4. The limitations specified in subsection 3 shall in no way be construed as a limitation on the ability of employees designated as peace officers pursuant to this section to use force in defense of life or property.
 5. The maximum age for a person employed as a peace officer pursuant to this section is sixty-five years of age.