[§231-4.3]  Investigators; appointment andpowers.  The director may appoint and commission one or more investigatorsas the exigencies of the public service may require.  Persons appointed andcommissioned under this section shall have and may exercise all of the powersand authority and the benefits and privileges of a police officer or of adeputy sheriff, including the power to arrest; provided that such powers shallremain in force and effect only while in actual performance of their duties. These investigators shall consist of personnel whose primary duty is to conductinvestigations as directed by the director.  Persons appointed and commissionedunder this section shall be exempt from chapter 76. [L 2003, c 136, §2]