(A) The Board shall consist of five members. Three members shall be appointed by the Sheriff, and two members shall be elected by a majority vote of the members of the county police force under procedures established by the County Sheriff’s Merit Board. However, an active county police officer; a relative (as defined in I.C. 36-1-20.2-9) of an active county police officer; or a relative (as defined in I.C. 36-1-20.2-8) of the sheriff; may not serve on the Board, either as a member appointed by the sheriff or elected by the county police force. Appointments are for terms of four years or for the remainder of an unexpired term, however caused. Not more than two of the members appointed by the Sheriff nor more than one of the members elected by the officers may belong to the same political party. All County Sheriff’s Merit Board members must reside in the county. All members serve during their respective terms and until their successors have been appointed and qualified. A member may be removed for cause duly adjudicated by declaratory judgment of the County Circuit Court, County Superior Court, or County Probate Court.
(I.C. 36-8-10-3(b))
(B) County Merit Board member nominations, by the county police force, shall be submitted to the Sheriff’s Merit Board by the fourth Wednesday in October of each statutory election year (as required). No more than two nominees shall be presented. Elections will be held on the fourth Wednesday in November. Ballot forms will be provided by the Merit Board. Ties will be decided by a flip of a coin by the Merit Board President. Should a vacancy occur during the term of an elected member, the Merit Board shall hold a special election, consistent with the terms herein, within 60 days to fill the balance of the term. All nominees shall be of the same political party as the original elected member.
(C) As compensation for service, each member of the board is entitled to receive from the county a minimum of $15 per day for each day, or fraction of a day, that the member is engaged in transacting the business of the Board.
(I.C. 36-8-10-3)
(D) As soon as practicable after the members of the Board have been appointed, they shall meet upon the call of the Sheriff and organize by electing a President and a Secretary from among their membership.
(I.C. 36-8-10-3(d))
(1) A Vice President may be elected from the membership of the Board.
(2) The officers as elected shall serve on an annual basis subject to renominations as subject to subsequent election and voting procedures as determined by a majority vote of the Merit Board.
(E) At all meetings, three members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
(I.C. 36-8-10-3(d))
(F) Expenses of the Board, in direct relation to the county police force, are to be part of the Sheriff’s budget.
(BC Ord. 2000-9, passed 9-18-00)