Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 33A, § 9

(a) An enlisted member may be ordered into arrest or confinement by a commissioned officer by an order, oral or written, delivered in person or through other persons subject to this code. A commanding officer may authorize warrant officers, petty officers or noncommissioned officers to order enlisted members of the commanding officer's command or subject to the commanding officer's authority into arrest or confinement.

(b) A commissioned officer, a warrant officer or a civilian subject to this code or to trial under this code may be ordered into arrest or confinement only by a commanding officer to whose authority the person is subject, by an order, oral or written, delivered in person or by another commissioned officer. The authority to order such persons into arrest or confinement may not be delegated.

(c) No person may be ordered into arrest or confinement except for probable cause.

(d) This article does not limit the authority of persons authorized to apprehend offenders to secure the custody of an alleged offender until proper authority may be notified.