(a) Charges may be filed by any resident of the county as follows: The charges shall be in writing, shall set forth succinctly the matter or matters complained of, and shall be sworn to before any member of the board or before any person authorized to administer oaths. Upon the receipt of the charges, the board, after due consideration, shall determine whether in its opinion it considers that the good of the service will be served by a trial thereon; and, if not, the charges may be dismissed by the board. If in the judgment of the board, the charges are of a minor nature, the charges may be referred to the sheriff who shall make an investigation and file his or her recommendations concerning the charges with the board within such time specified by the board as to what disciplinary action, if any, should be taken. After receipt of such recommendation and after due notice is given to the deputy affected, the board in its discretion, may adopt and order executed the recommended action or part thereof, as it deems appropriate. If, however, the complainant or affected deputy, or both, shall object to the recommendation of the sheriff, the civil service board of appeals shall hold a public hearing de novo on the charges, and take such disciplinary action as in its judgment is warranted by the evidence and under the law.

(b) All hearings before the civil service board of appeals shall be open to the public, provided that when a written waiver of a public hearing, signed by the complainant and the affected deputy, is filed with the board, the public, in the discretion of the board, may be excluded. All testimony given in all hearings before the board shall be recorded verbatim whenever the complainant or the affected deputy requests that such record be made. In all cases, the decision of the board shall be reduced to writing and entered in the record. The board shall have power to administer oaths, take depositions, and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and production of papers necessary as evidence in any hearing or investigation or proceedings within the purview of this part.