§4558.1. Authority of New Orleans City Park Police

            A.(1) Those persons who are employed as officers by New Orleans City Park shall first be approved by the board of commissioners of the New Orleans City Park Improvement Association, hereinafter referred to as "board". The officers shall be designated as City Park police officers and shall be responsible for maintaining general order and exercising police power within the jurisdiction of New Orleans City Park.

            (2) Each person employed to serve as a City Park police officer shall be commissioned as a City Park police officer by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections or as provided in Subsection F of this Section. The commission shall remain in force and in effect until the person is no longer employed as a City Park police officer.

            (3) Pursuant to R.S. 40:1379.1.3, the City Park police officers shall have the right to carry concealed weapons. The City Park police officers shall have the power of arrest when discharging their duties within the grounds and jurisdiction of New Orleans City Park and on all streets, roads, and rights-of-way to the extent that they are within or contiguous to the perimeter of City Park. In the discharge of their duties on City Park grounds and while in pursuit on City Park grounds, each City Park police officer may exercise the power of arrest.

            (4) Each City Park police officer shall execute a bond in the amount of ten thousand dollars in favor of the state for the faithful performance of his duties. The premium on the bond shall be paid by City Park.

            B. Any person arrested by a City Park police officer, in the exercise of the power granted pursuant to Paragraph (A)(3) of this Section, shall be immediately transferred by the officer to the custody of the Orleans Parish Sheriff.

            C. All fines and fees generated through the enforcement of New Orleans City Park rules shall be deemed self-generated revenues of the park and shall be used for park development, maintenance, and operation of City Park.

            D. Any person commissioned as a City Park police officer shall meet all training requirements of a peace officer as defined in R.S. 40:2402.

            E. Upon recommendation by the chief executive officer of New Orleans City Park and approval by the board, a City Park police officer shall have authority to discharge his duties off New Orleans City Park grounds as follows:

            (1) When transporting an arrested person in furtherance of duties as set forth in this Section.

            (2) When transporting money, securities, or other valuables on behalf of New Orleans City Park.

            (3) When engaging in intelligence gathering related to performance of duties.

            (4) When investigating a crime committed on City Park grounds.

            (5) While providing security or protective services for visiting dignitaries, honored guests, or executives on or off City Park grounds.

            F. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Section to the contrary, City Park police officers may also be commissioned by the city's police department, rather than the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, upon complying with the requirements and regulations as may be prescribed by the city's police department for the commissioning of special officers. Any commission issued by the city's police department shall confer upon such City Park police officers all rights and privileges enumerated in this Section with respect to officers commissioned through and by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, provided that such officers shall not be entitled to supplemental pay for municipal police officers.

            Acts 2024, No. 613, §1.