Tennessee Code Title 55. Motor and Other Vehicles § 55-2-102

(a) The commissioner shall appoint deputies, subordinate officers, clerks, investigators, and other employees who may be necessary to carry out chapters 1-6 of this title.

(b) Employees of the special investigations section who have been designated by the commissioner to enforce chapters 2-6 of this title, except as otherwise provided in chapter 5 of this title, are cloaked with all such necessary police powers as will enable them to properly perform their duties under this title, including, but not limited to, the right to make arrests, serve criminal warrants and subpoenas for witnesses, and go armed and carry a pistol while on active duty enforcing chapters 2-6 of this title.

(c) The salaries of appointees shall be fixed by the commissioner, subject to the approval of the commissioner of human resources.