Chap. 337.—An ACT to amend and re-enact section 1017a, in relation to powers
and duties of the police force of the cities and towns of an act entitled an act
to amend and re-enact chapter 44 of the Code of Virginia, 1887, in relation
to cities and towns, and to repeal sections 1039 and 1040 of the Code of Vir-
ginia, and section 1043 of the Code of Virginia, as amended and re-enacted
by an act approved March 4, 1896, and as attempted to be repealed by an act
approved March 7, 1900, and to repeal an act approved March 7, 1900, entitled
an act to provide for local assessments in cities and towns, approved May 20,
1903.

Approved March 14, 1908.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That section
one thousand and seventeen a, in relation to powers and duties of the
police force of cities and towns of an act entitled an act to amend and
re-enact chapter forty-four of the Code of Virginia, eighteen’ hundred
and eighty-seven, in relation to cities and towns, and to repeal sections
one thousand and thirty-nine and one thousand and forty of the Code
of Virginia, and section one thousand and forty-three of the Code of Vir-
ginia, as amended and re-enacted by an act approved March fourth,
eighteen hundred and ninety-six, and as attempted to be repealed by an
act approved March seventh, nineteen hundred, and to repeal an act
approved March seventh, nineteen hundred, entitled an act to provide
for local assessments in cities and towns, approved May twentieth, nine-
teen hundred and three, be amended and re-enacted so as to read as fol-
lows:

§1017%a. Powers and duties of the police force of the cities and towne
of the Commonwealth of Virginia:

First. The officers and privates constituting the police force of cities
and towns of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall be, and they are
hereby invested with all the power and authority which now belong to
the office of constable at common law in taking cognizance of, and in
enforcing the criminal laws of the said Commonwealth, and the ordi-
nances and regulations of the city or town, respectively, for which they
are appointed or elected; and it shall be the duty of each and every
one of such policemen to use his best endeavors to prevent the com-
mission within the said city or town, of offenses against the law of said
Commonwealth, and against the ordinances and regulations of said city
or town; to observe and enforce all such laws, ordinances and regula-
tions; to detect and arrest offenders against the same; to preserve the
good order of the said city or town, and to secure the inhabitants thereof
from violence, and the property therein from injury.

Second. Such policeman shall have no power or authority in civil mat-
ters, but he shall in all other cases execute such warrants or summons
as may be placed in his hands by any justice of the peace for said city
or town, and shall make due return thereof.

Third. Such policeman shall not receive any fee or other compensation
out of the treasury of the Commonwealth, or the city or town, for any
service, rendered under the provisions of this act other than the salary
paid him by the city or town, and a fee as a witness in cases
arising under the criminal laws of the said Commonwealth, except such
policeman shall not receive any fee as a witness in any case arising
under the ordinances of his city or town; nor for attendance as a wit-
ness before any police justice, or justice of the peace in his city or town.
If, however, it shall become necessary or expedient for him to travel
beyond the limits of said city or town in his capacity as a policeman,
he shall be entitled to his actual expenses, to be allowed and paid as is
now provided by law for other expenses in criminal cases.

Fourth. Nothing contained in this act shall be construed as prohibiting
a policeman from claiming and receiving any reward which may be
offered for the arrest and detention of any offender against the criminal
laws of this or any other Commonwealth or nation.