(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, the ranks within the law-enforcement section of the Division of Natural Resources are colonel, lieutenant colonel, major, captain, lieutenant, sergeant, corporal, natural resources police officer first class, senior natural resources police officer, natural resources police officer and natural resources police officer-in-training. Each officer while in uniform shall wear the insignia of rank as provided by the chief natural resources police officer.

(b) Beginning on July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2011, Natural Resources Police Officers shall be paid the minimum annual salaries based on the following schedule:

ANNUAL SALARY SCHEDULE (BASE PAY)

SUPERVISORY AND NONSUPERVISORY RANKS

Natural Resources Police Officer In Training (first year until end of probation) $26,337

Natural Resources Police Officer (second year) $29,768

Natural Resources Police Officer (third year) $30,140

Senior Natural Resources Police Officer (fourth and

fifth year) $30,440

Senior Natural Resources Police Officer First Class

(after fifth year) $32,528

Senior Natural Resources Police Officer (after

tenth year) $33,104

Senior Natural Resources Police Officer (after

fifteenth year) $33,528

Corporal (after sixteenth year) $36,704

Sergeant $40,880

First Sergeant $42,968

Lieutenant $47,144

Captain $49,232

Major $51,320

Lieutenant Colonel $53,408

Colonel

Beginning July 1, 2011, and continuing thereafter, Natural Resources Police Officers shall be paid the minimum annual salaries based on the following schedule:

ANNUAL SALARY SCHEDULE (BASE PAY)

SUPERVISORY AND NONSUPERVISORY RANKS

Natural Resources Police Officer in Training (first

year until end of probation) $31,222

Natural Resources Police Officer (second year) $34,881

Natural Resources Police Officer (third year) $35,277

Senior Natural Resources Police Officer (fourth and

fifth year) $35,601

Senior Natural Resources Police Officer First Class

(after fifth year) $37,797

Senior Natural Resources Police Officer (after tenth

year) $38,397

Senior Natural Resources Police Officer (after

fifteenth year) $38,833

Corporal (after sixteenth year) $42,105

Sergeant $46,401

First Sergeant $48,549

Lieutenant $52,857

Captain $55,005

Major $57,153

Lieutenant Colonel $59,301

Colonel $66,000

Beginning July 1, 2017, the director may set additional annual compensation for Natural Resources Police Officers based on rank and length of service in addition to the minimum annual salaries provided in this section in an amount payable solely from the Law Enforcement Program Fund and the Special Revenue License Fund. Each Natural Resources Police Officer whose minimum salary is fixed and specified in the Annual Salary Schedule in this section is entitled to the length of service increases set forth in section one-a of this article.

In applying the salary schedules set forth in this section where salary increases are provided for length of service, Natural Resources Police Officers in service at the time the schedules become effective shall be given credit for prior service and shall be paid salaries the same length of service entitles them to receive under the provisions of this section.

(c) This section does not apply to special or emergency Natural Resources Police Officers appointed under the authority of section one of this article.

(d) Nothing in this section prohibits other pay increases as provided under section two, article five, chapter five of this code: Provided, That any across-the-board pay increase granted by the Legislature or the Governor, and any increase in the base pay for the ranks within the law-enforcement section authorized by the director, will be added to, and reflected in, the minimum salaries set forth in this section; and that any merit increases granted to an officer over and above the annual salary schedule listed in subsection (b) of this section are retained by an officer when he or she advances from one rank to another: Provided, however, That any Natural Resources Police Officer who receives an increase in compensation pursuant to the amendment and reenactment of this section in 2011 shall not receive any across-the-board pay increase granted by the Legislature or the Governor in 2011.