The commissioner, the commissioner’s deputies and assistants, including full-time arson investigators, have the power to summon witnesses and to compel them to attend before them, or either of them, and to testify under oath in relation to any matter that is by this chapter a subject of inquiry and investigation, and may require the production of any book, paper, document or other matter whatsoever deemed pertinent or necessary to the inquiry. They also have the power to administer oaths and affirmations to any person appearing as a witness before them, and false swearing in any matter shall be deemed perjury, and shall be punishable as such.