(A) The Sheriff, with the approval of the Merit Board, shall establish a classification of ranks, grades, and positions for county police officers in the department. For each rank, grade, and position established, the Sheriff, with the approval of the Merit Board, shall:
(1) Set reasonable standards of qualifica- tions; and
(2) Fix the prerequisites of:
(a) Training;
(b) Education; and
(c) Experience.
(B) The Sheriff, with the approval of the Merit Board, shall devise and administer examinations designed to test applicants for the qualifications required for the respective ranks, grades, or positions.
(1) After these examinations, the Sheriff and the Merit Board shall jointly prepare a list naming only those applicants who, in the opinion of both the Sheriff and the merit board, best meet the prescribed standards and prerequisites.
(2) The Sheriff appoints county police officers but only from among the persons whose names appear on this list.
(3) All county police officers appointed to the office under this chapter are on probation for a period of one year from the date of appointment.
(C) However, the Sheriff does not need the Merit Board's approval to do the following:
(1) Establish a temporary administrative rank or position within the county police department; or
(2) Appoint a county police officer that has served as a county police officer for at least five years to and remove a county police officer from a temporary administrative rank or position. Any temporary administrative rank or position established pursuant to this section shall not diminish or reduce the number and classifications of the existing merit ranks within the county police department.
(a) A county police officer appointed under this subsection must have served as a county police officer in the county police department for at least five years before the appointment.
(b) A county police officer retains the rank, grade, or position awarded under division (B) while serving in a temporary administrative rank or position.
(c) This division may not be construed to limit, modify, annul, or otherwise affect a collective bargaining agreement.
(CC Ord. 2004-05, passed 9-2-04)