The solicitor of the third judicial circuit may appoint a special investigator to serve at the pleasure of the solicitor and have such responsibility as the solicitor shall direct. The solicitor shall determine the salary to be paid the investigator which shall be paid from such funds as may be provided by law. The investigator, while engaged in official duties of his office, is authorized to carry a pistol or other handgun. He shall give a bond in the sum of two thousand dollars which shall be in the same form and under the same conditions as required for police officers. He shall be commissioned by the Governor and shall have all the powers and duties provided for constables in § 23-1-60, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, and shall be a "police officer" as defined in § 9-11-10.