In each city in the State of Mississippi having a population of not less than three thousand (3,000) according to the last federal census or according to any subsequent federal census, and having a regularly organized, paid fire department with equipment of the value of not less than Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) and/or regularly organized paid police department, and having not less than two (2) paid firemen and/or not less than two (2) paid policemen, whose sole employment is by such city in its fire department and for police department, there may be provided in connection with the regularly organized and maintained paid fire department and/or police department of such city a special fund known as the “disability and relief fund for firemen and policemen,” hereinafter called “said fund,” which shall exist and be maintained for the benefit of the persons hereinafter named and shall be derived, raised and administered in the manner hereinafter provided.

Said fund and system of relief, when inaugurated, shall and does create a disability and relief system to apply to the members of the regularly organized, maintained and paid fire department and/or police department of such municipality. Notwithstanding any other section of this article no such fund known as the “disability and relief fund for firemen and policemen” shall be created by any city after March 1, 1976, unless by an amendment to this article by the legislature of the State of Mississippi.

Any reference in other sections of this article to members of the fire and police department shall be defined to include only the members of the disability and relief fund for firemen and policemen of the city.