CHAPTER 167

An Act to amend and reenact § 15-557 of the Code of Virginia, relating to
powers and duties of policemen of cities and towns, and their compen-
sation in certain instances.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 15-557 of the Code of Virginia be amended and reenacted as
follows: . .

§ 15-557. The officers and privates constituting the police force of
cities and towns of the Commonwealth are hereby invested with all the
power and authority which formerly belonged to the office of constable at
common law in taking cognizance of, and in enforcing the criminal laws of
the Commonwealth and the ordinances and regulations of the city or town,
respectively, for which they are appointed or elected. And each and every
one of such policemen shall use his best endeavors to prevent the commis-
sion within the city or town of offenses against the law of the Common-
wealth and against the ordinances and regulations of the city or town,
shall observe and enforce all such laws, ordinances and regulations; shall
detect and arrest offenders against the same; shall preserve the good order
of the city or town; and shall secure the inhabitants thereof from violence
and the property therein from injury. oo

Such policeman shall have no power or authority in civil matters, 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 or trial justice for the city
or town and shall make due return thereof.

Except as otherwise specifically provided in the charter of any city or
town, such policeman shall not receive any fee or other compensation out
of the State treasury or the treasury of the city or town for any service
rendered under the provisions of this chapter 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 Commonwealth. And except as otherwise specifically
provided in the charter of any city or town, such policeman shall not re-
ceive any fee as a witness in any case arising under the ordinances of his
city or town; nor for attendance as a witness before any trial justice or
justice of the peace in his city or town. If, however, it shall become neces-
sary or expedient for him to travel beyond the limits of the 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.

Nothing contained in this section 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.

An emergency exists and this act is in force from its passage.