Opinion No. (2008)

EDMUND G. BROWN JR. Attorney General SUSAN DUNCAN LEE Deputy Attorney General THE HONORABLE IRA RUSKIN, MEMBER OF THE STATE ASSEMBLY, has requested an opinion on the following question: Does a person designated by a regional open space district as a park ranger, and regularly employed and paid in that capacity as part of the district's police force, have peace officer powers under the terms of Penal Code section 830.31 with respect to violations of law that occur outside the boundaries of the district? CONCLUSION A person designated by a regional open space district as a park ranger, and regularly employed and paid in that capacity as part of the district's police force, has peace officer powers under the terms of Penal Code section 830.31 anywhere in the state, either for the purpose of performing his or her primary duty or when making an arrest as to any public offense with respect to which there is immediate danger to person or property, or of the escape of the perpetrator of that offense. *Page 2 ANALYSIS A regional open space district is a local government agency that operates parks and open space preserves for public use and recreation. 1 Public Resources Code section 5558…