§ 59-a. Placement of detectives and investigators in classified service. 1. The legislature hereby finds and declares that the continued, uninterrupted, adequate and efficient operation of detective and investigative units in local police, correction or sheriffs departments is necessary for the general welfare of the people; that such adequate operation involves and requires personnel with highly specialized ability, skill, training, and knowledge; that local civil service commissions may decide to classify such positions where they constitute bona fide civil service positions as evidenced by factors including enhanced pay, benefits, and dignity of position; that while competitive examination has been deemed practicable for certain detective and investigator positions, to require such examination for valid appointment of current long standing employees would irreparably disorganize detective or investigative operations, endanger the public safety, interrupt the continuity and effective performance of important investigatory operations.

2. Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter or any provisions to the contrary contained in any general, special, or local laws, any person holding a permanent competitive class appointment as a police officer, correction officer of any rank or deputy sheriff in a police force, police department or sheriffs department in a jurisdiction other than a city with a population of one million or more or the state department of corrections and community supervision, who was serving in a detective or investigator capacity, as designated by such police force, police department or sheriffs department, on the date such position was classified by the local civil service commission having jurisdiction and for at least eighteen months immediately preceding such date, shall receive a permanent appointment to a detective or investigator position, in such title as may be properly classified by the local civil service commission having jurisdiction, without further examination or qualifications and shall have all the rights and privileges of the jurisdictional class to which such position may be allocated.