MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                                     463

ARTICLE.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language
derived from Article 66c, section 5.
Similar language appears in Title 4
(section 4-202) and Title 10 (section
10-202). It is set forth here to indicate
to the Code user that the Secretary, as
head of the department, is charged with
enforcing the provisions of this Article
and department rules and regulations,

1-203. APPOINTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES POLICE
OFFICER; BADGES; COMMISSIONS.

(A) APPOINTMENT OF [[WILDLIFE OFFICERS AND OTHER
EMPLOYEES]] NATURAL RESOURCES POLICE OFFICERS. - THE
SECRETARY MAY APPOINT NATURAL RESOURCES POLICE
OFFICERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE MERIT SYSTEM.

(E) ISSUANCE OF COMMISSION AND BADGE.—THE
SECRETARY SHALL ISSUE TO EACH PERSON APPOINTED AS
NATURAL RESOURCES POLICE OFFICER A COMMISSION AND
BADGE STATING "NATURAL RESOURCES POLICE OFFICER".

(C)    OBLIGATION TO WEAR BADGE.—EXCEPT WHEN ON
DETECTIVE DUTY, EVERY NATURAL RESOURCES POLICE OFFICER
SHALL WEAR IN PLAIN VIEW A "NATURAL RESOURCES POLICE
OFFICER" BADGE WHEN ACTING IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY.

(D)    RETURN OF BADGE AND COMMISSION.—THE BADGE
IS PROPERTY OF THE STATE, AND UPON THE TERMINATION OF
A COMMISSION OF ANY NATURAL RESOURCES POLICE OFFICER,
IT SHALL BE RETURNED WITH THE COMMISSION TO THE
SECRETARY.

REVISOR'S NOTE: Subsection (a) presently appears
as Article 66C, section 116 (a) of the Code.
The reference to "wildlife officer" in this
and subsequent sections is proposed for
deletion because these officers, who were
previously charged with enforcing inland
fish and game laws, are called Natural
Resources Police officers pursuant to the
nomenclatural changes made by Chapter 348,
Acts of 1972.

Actually, this newly created force also
includes the "Marine Police", a unit
formerly created under the department's
rule—making authority. The provision