Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 146, § 1A

Inspectors; appointment; powers and duties; appointment as special state police; oath of office

(a) The state fire marshal shall appoint a chief of inspections, who shall not be subject to the provisions of chapter 31, who may be removed for cause, and the position of chief of inspections shall be classified in accordance with section 45 of chapter 30 and the salary shall be determined in accordance with section 46C of said chapter 30. The state fire marshal shall establish the requirements and qualifications for inspectors who are employed by the division of inspection and appointed pursuant to section 6 and shall have administrative responsibility over such inspectors.

(b) The state fire marshal may appoint, transfer and remove inspectors, experts, clerks and other assistants. District engineering inspectors in the division of inspection shall not be subject to any civil service rules. The state fire marshal shall establish the requirements and qualifications for officers and inspectors appointed pursuant to this section.

(c) All inspectors of the division of inspection in the department shall have and exercise throughout the commonwealth the powers of constables, police officers and watchmen, except as to the service of civil process. The governor may command their services in suppressing riots and in preserving the peace. The state fire marshal may request the colonel of state police to appoint such inspectors as special state police officers and invest them with such of the powers of the state police officers as said colonel may deem advisable. The state fire marshal, with the approval of the governor, may authorize the inspectors of the division to carry badges, revolvers, clubs, handcuffs and twisters, or such other articles as may be required in the performance of their duties.

(d) Each inspector shall, before entering upon the performance of his duties, be sworn to the faithful performance thereof, and unless his oath of office is taken within 10 days after the date of his appointment, the appointment shall be void.