The positions of Chief of the Division of Police and Chief of the Division of Fire shall be unclassified. Vacancies in the position of either said Chiefs shall be filled by appointment of the City Manager from applicants from the officer ranks of said department. If less than two applications are received from the officer ranks the City Manager may extend the request for applications to the other ranks and/or external candidates. Any person appointed from the ranks shall maintain, without loss, any benefits previously earned and acquired by reason of the pension funds established for either police or firemen by the State of Ohio or the City of Painesville, and said appointee shall continue to be a member of the fund as long as he meets the qualifications established by the statutes of Ohio for such membership.
(Amended November 4, 2003; Amended November 7, 2023.)