PUCO Enforcement...

[Munlaw]

PUCO Hazardous Materials Safety Enforcement...Are they armed and considered Peace Officers ?

Here is a Photo of their vehicle... http://images20.fotki.com/v357/photos/4/49373/202652/rnpca2392-vi.jpg

[Seven53]

I stopped by a PUCO traffic stop in my town a few weeks ago and spoke to the officer about what she does. This was the first time I saw PUCO so I was curios. She advised me that she only stops tractor-trailers and the like for a wide variety of equiptment/cargo issues. She said the main difference between PUCO and regular police is she can follow a haz-mat violator back to their business and check the property for violations without a warrant. She did NOT have a firearm, and was quite vocal that she wished she had one. I'm not sure if she has arrest powers.

[Munlaw]

Thanks for the information...

[southboy]

Sound like the Motor Carrier Enforcement Inspectors with the OSHP. They don't have police powers but drive squad cars similar to the Troopers and stop 18 wheelers and such. Also unarmed but they can call a Trooper to assist them if they need it. More at http://www.statepatrol.ohio.gov/operationalunits/lcs/mce.html

[Munlaw]

Sound like the Motor Carrier Enforcement Inspectors with the OSHP. They don't have police powers but drive squad cars similar to the Troopers and stop 18 wheelers and such. Also unarmed but they can call a Trooper to assist them if they need it. More at http://www.statepatrol.ohio.gov/operationalunits/lcs/mce.html

Nah, I thought they were the same at first, but they aren't...

These Hazardous Materials Safety Enforcement Officers work for the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and drive white explorers like below...
http://images20.fotki.com/v357/photos/4/49373/202652/rnpca2392-vi.jpg

These Motor Carrier Enforcement Inspectors work for the Ohio State Highway Patrol and drive Crown Victorias...

http://lavender.fortunecity.com/westside/563/ohio2h.jpg

I'm not sure, but I think the Guys who drive the white vans marked with "OHSP-Motor Vehicle Inspection" with the amber lights are basically civil servants with expert knowledge in motor vehicles, and attend locations to give LEOs expert opinions on complex safety issues...

http://images19.fotki.com/v359/photos/4/49373/1859178/cnpca6458-vi.jpg

Are the Enforcement Officers of the PUCO at least issued batons and defensive spray ?

[Opus2112]

The folks that work for the PUCO due, to the best of my knowledge, hazmat enforcement on commercial vehicles. They are not armed, dont work for the highway patrol, and dont even have OC or ASP's. They rely on assistance from the troopers, or mostly local PD's or sheriffs.