(a) Findings. Because of recent changes by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, hereinafter referred to as SLED, certain law enforcement officers of Greenville County can no longer be commissioned by the state. The county council finds that certain officers need to be commissioned as law enforcement officers for Greenville County.
(b) Procedures. The county administrator shall forward to the county council a list of all county employees that are not directly under the authority of the Greenville County Sheriff who, because of their necessary duties and functions, must possess all the pertinent power and authority of law enforcement officers. The county council shall refer to the county sheriff a list of all employees that shall be commissioned as law enforcement officers. The county sheriff, through his cooperation and agreement, shall commission the employees referred to him, pursuant to his authority to commission law enforcement officers.
(c) Qualifications. All employees, prior to referral to the sheriff of Greenville County for commissioning, shall meet the minimum qualifications of law enforcement officers as established by the statutory and decisional law of South Carolina. All employees who are presently commissioned or who, within the past 6 months, were commissioned by the state shall be immediately eligible, upon the approval of the county council for the referral and commissioning by the sheriff.
(d) Effect of authority. This section shall not be construed to limit, alter, change, encumber or otherwise affect the duties, or authority of the sheriff of Greenville County. The county shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend the sheriff of Greenville County from any and all claims, causes of actions, suits or proceedings, that may arise against him personally, in his official capacity, or against his office as a result of the commissioning, acts, omissions, control or lack of control or authority over the herein referenced county employees. The sheriff shall have no direct authority over these employees; however, in cases of severe emergency or crises, the county may make these employees available to assist in the maintenance of public order and the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the county.
(1976 Code, § 11-1) (Ord. 2114, §§ 1-4, passed 5-1-1990)