§ 8-8-401. Short Title
This part shall be known as the “County Sheriff’s Civil Service Law of 1974.”
§ 8-8-402. Local Approval Required
Except as provided in subsection (b), this part shall be local in effect and shall become effective in a particular county upon the contingency of a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the county legislative body approving this law. On or after June 9, 2010, § 8-8-419(a)(2) shall apply in any particular county which has adopted or […]
§ 8-8-403. “Classified Service” Defined
As used in this part, “classified service” includes all positions and employees in the sheriff’s department, except for the sheriff, the sheriff’s personal secretary, and the cook for the jail facility, and, in those counties deciding to do so, the chief deputy sheriff.
§ 8-8-404. Creation of Civil Service Board
There is created a civil service board composed of three (3) members selected by the county legislative body.
§ 8-8-405. Terms of Members
The terms of the members of the board shall be three (3) years; provided, that the initial appointments shall be as follows: One (1) member selected by the county legislative body for one (1) year; One (1) member selected by the county legislative body for two (2) years; and One (1) member selected by the […]
§ 8-8-406. Qualifications of Members
All members of the board shall be over eighteen (18) years of age, of good moral character, citizens of the United States and the state of Tennessee, and must reside in the respective county, and they shall not hold any elected or appointed office within the county.
§ 8-8-407. Compensation of Board
The members of the board shall receive such salary, if any, as determined by the county legislative body in its sound discretion.
§ 8-8-408. Chair — Personnel Officer as Keeper of Department Records and Secretary of Board
The county mayor shall designate, from the three (3) members thus selected, a chair of the board. The sheriff shall appoint from among the sheriff’s employees a personnel officer, who shall be the keeper of the sheriff’s departmental records, and also shall serve as secretary of the civil service board.
§ 8-8-409. Powers and Duties of Board
The board as a body shall: Adopt and amend rules and regulations for the administration of this part; Make investigations concerning the enforcement and effect of this part and require observance of the rules and regulations made thereunder; Hear and determine appeals and complaints respecting the administration of this part; Establish and maintain a roster […]
§ 8-8-410. Preliminary or Performance Tests Required — Exceptions
All persons in the employ of the office of the sheriff or classified service positions at the time this part becomes operative, who have served for a period longer than six (6) months, shall be retained without preliminary or performance tests, but shall thereafter be subject in all other respects to this part. Any other […]
§ 8-8-411. Classification Plan
The board shall, as soon as practical after this part becomes operative, adopt a classification plan and make rules for its administration. The position classification plan may, if desired, create different classes of positions within each position in the classified service. The position classification plan shall show the duties, authorities, responsibilities and character of work […]
§ 8-8-412. Creation of New Positions — Abolition of Old Positions
The board may, upon request of and by the advice of the sheriff, create new positions or combine, alter or abolish existing positions in such manner as the board acting under the advice of the sheriff deems necessary for the effective operation of the office of sheriff. No position in the classified service shall be […]
§ 8-8-413. Leaves of Absence
The board shall formulate reasonable rules governing the granting of leaves of absence to members of the classified service in good standing. The board shall seek the advice of the sheriff upon any request for leave of absence before acting thereon and shall be guided by the requirements of adequate law enforcement and the operational […]
§ 8-8-414. Eligibility Lists — Eligibility and Promotion Tests
The sheriff shall keep the board informed by periodic reports of the employment needs of the office. The board shall, as often as necessary, hold tests to establish lists of persons eligible for the various positions in the classified service. Such tests shall be public, competitive and open to all persons who may be lawfully […]
§ 8-8-415. Filling of Vacancies — Probationary Period
Whenever a vacancy occurs in any position in the classified section of the office of sheriff, the sheriff shall ask the board for the names and addresses of all eligible persons. The board shall certify the names of all persons on the eligible list for that position within thirty (30) days of the sheriff’s request. […]
§ 8-8-416. Transfer of Positions
Employees in the classified service may be transferred from one position to another in the same class. Transfers may be instituted only by the sheriff and shall be permitted only with the consent of the sheriff.
§ 8-8-417. Procedural Rules to Be Established — Power to Gather Evidence
The practice and procedure of the board with respect to any investigation by the board authorized by this part shall be in accordance with the rules and regulations to be established by the board. The rules shall provide for reasonable notice to all persons affected and for the opportunity to be heard, either in person […]
§ 8-8-418. Report of Changes in Status Required — Suspensions Authorized — Hearings
The sheriff shall give an immediate report in writing of all appointments, reinstatements, vacancies, absences or other matters affecting the status of any member of the classified service or the performance of the duties of members of the classified service. The report shall be in the manner and form prescribed by the board. The sheriff […]
§ 8-8-419. Political Activity Restricted
No person holding a position in the classified service shall take an active part in any political campaign while on duty. No employee of the sheriff’s department shall solicit money for political campaigns; provided, that such restriction shall not prohibit an employee, including a deputy sheriff, who is running for an elected office from soliciting […]