(a) Generally. Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), the number of employees who may begin participating in the DROP in a plan shall be limited to four new employees participating in each DROP plan as of the first day of any month.
(b) Police Officers, Police Officers First Class, and Police Corporals. The number of employees in the classification of Police Officer, Police Officer First Class or Police Corporal who may begin participating in the DROP shall be limited to 20 per calendar quarter up to a limit of 64 participants in each fiscal year.
(c) Police Sergeants. Employees in the classification of Police Sergeant who may begin participating in the DROP shall have no limit on the number of new participants who may begin participating on the first day of any month.
(d) Correctional Program Specialists and Criminal Justice Program Supervisors. In addition to the employees described in subsection (a), a combined total of two new employees in the classifications of Correctional Program Specialist and Criminal Justice Program Supervisor may begin participating in the DROP as of the first day of any month.
(e) Selection by seniority. If the application of this section requires the number of participants to be limited, participants shall be selected by seniority as determined by the Personnel Officer on the basis of the amount of actual plan service of the applicants; the Personnel Officer shall establish a waiting list for participation in the DROP; and the applicants who are not selected shall be placed on a waiting list without having to reapply to participate in the DROP.
(f) Waiting list. Applicants on the waiting list described in subsection (e) have the right of "first refusal" for DROP participation in subsequent months in the order of their seniority, provided:
(1) applicants who refuse participation if offered in subsequent months shall be removed from the waiting list and must reapply in order to participate in the DROP; and
(2) in subsequent months, applicants not on the waiting list shall be selected ahead of applicants on the waiting list who have less seniority.
(1985 Code, Art. 7, § 1-505) (Bill No. 90-01; Bill No. 32-04; Bill No. 74-09; Bill No. 50-15; Bill No. 54-20)