This part sets forth the rules issued by the Secretary of Agriculture to implement section 1337 of Public Law 97-98 relating to:

(a) Arrests without warrant for certain criminal felony violations;

(b) Execution of warrants for arrests, searches of premises and seizures of evidence; and

(c) The carrying of firearms by designated officials of the Office of Inspector General.

Any official of the Office of Inspector General who is designated by the Inspector General according to §§ 1a.3 and 1a.5 of this part and who is engaged in the performance of his/her official duties under the authority provided in section 6, or described in section 9, of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), is authorized to—

(a) Make an arrest without a warrant for any criminal felony violation subject to § 1a.4, if such violation is committed, or if the official has probable cause to believe that such violation is being committed, in his/her presence;

(b) Execute and serve a warrant for an arrest, for the search of premises, or the seizure of evidence if such warrant is issued under authority of the United States upon probable cause to believe that any criminal felony violation, subject to § 1a.4, has been committed; and

(c) Carry a firearm.

Any person who is employed in the Office of Inspector General and who is designated by the Inspector General in accordance with and subject to § 1a.5 and who conducts investigations of alleged or suspected felony criminal violations of statutes administered by the Secretary of Agriculture or any agency of the Department of Agriculture may exercise the authorities listed in and pursuant to § 1a.2.

The powers granted by §§ 1a.2(a) and 1a.2(b) shall be exercised only when a designated official is engaged in an investigation of alleged or suspected felony violations of statutes administered by the Secretary of Agriculture or any agency of the Department.

The Inspector General shall:

(a) Issue directives conforming to this part governing the exercise of the authorities granted by this part. These directives should contain the policies and procedures by which the authorities will be exercised by designated officials of the Office of Inspector General;

(b) Establish criteria for qualification by officials of the Office of Inspector General who are designated to exercise the authorities granted in this part;

(c) Monitor the implementation and exercise of the authorities granted by this part;

(d) Designate, pursuant to §§ 1a.2, 1a.3 and 1a.4, and the directives issued under paragraph (a) of this section, and the criteria established under paragraph (b) of this section, employees who have satisfied all the qualifications set by the Inspector General to exercise the authorities granted by § 1a.2; and

(e) Submit to the Attorney General of the United States the name of any employee of the Office of Inspector General designated pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section. Any designation not specifically disapproved by the Attorney General within 30 days after the date of submission shall be deemed approved.