95.762 Examination and qualifications of applicants for police and fire departments -- Political discrimination forbidden -- Guarantee of tenure -- Decrease of personnel. - Kentucky Statutes

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95.762 Examination and qualifications of applicants for police and fire departments -- Political discrimination forbidden -- Guarantee of tenure --
Decrease of personnel. (1) The commission shall require all applicants for appointments as members of the police or fire departments to be examined as to their qualifications to fill the office
of policeman or firefighter, and as to their knowledge of the English language, and
as to the law and rules governing the duties of policemen and firefighters. Every
member of the police or fire department shall be able to read and write and
understand the English language, and have such other general qualifications as may
be prescribed. (2) No person shall be appointed a member of the police or fire departments unless he is well known to be a person of sobriety and integrity, and has been and is an
orderly, law-abiding citizen, nor shall any person be appointed as a member of said
police or fire departments on account of any political, partisan service rendered by
him or on account of political sentiments or affiliations, or who is under twenty-one
(21) years of age or over forty (40), unless the applicant has had as much as five (5)
years' experience as a regular policeman or firefighter and is not over fifty-five (55)
years of age. No member of the police or fire departments shall be removed or
discharged or reduced in grade or pay for any political partisan opinion. The
appointment and continuance upon the police and fire departments shall depend
solely upon the ability and willingness of a person to comply with the rules of the
said departments and to perform the duties of said departments. No appointment to
or continuance as a member of a police or fire department shall be as a reward for
political activity nor be obtained by political services or contributions to campaign
funds. (3) The examination and qualifications provided for in this section shall not apply to the members of the regular police and fire departments at this time, who have been
continuously in the service for a period of three (3) years. (4) Members of police and fire departments otherwise qualified under this law shall hold their positions during good behavior, provided, however, that the provisions of
KRS 95.761 to 95.785 shall not prevent the said city legislative body from
increasing or decreasing the number of policemen or firefighters, as may be deemed
proper from time to time, and provided further, that in the event the said city
legislative body decreases the number of policemen or firefighters, the youngest
member in point of service shall be the first to be reduced and returned to the
eligible list and to advance according to the rules and regulations of said
department. (5) The civil service commission may provide that appointments for initial permanent employment may be probationary appointments for a period of not more than
twelve (12) months, after which probationary period regular appointments shall be
given to all probationary employees who are deemed to be satisfactory by the
respective appointing authority. Effective: July 14, 2000 History: Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2000. -- Amended 1985 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts ch. 4, sec. 3, effective July 19, 1985. -- Amended
1978 Ky. Acts ch. 128, sec. 3, effective June 17, 1978; and ch. 164, sec. 34, effective
June 17, 1978. -- Amended 1976 Ky. Acts ch. 159, sec. 2, effective March 29, 1976.
-- Amended 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 289, sec. 2; and ch. 386, sec. 22. -- Created 1942 Ky.
Acts ch. 9, sec. 3.