(a) The chief investigator and other investigators appointed pursuant to this article shall be compensated at a rate to be set by the Attorney General. In setting the rate of compensation the Attorney General may take into consideration that amount paid to other law enforcement officers of the State of Alabama including, but not limited to, those officers of corresponding duties, lengths of service, and responsibilities in the Alabama Department of Public Safety.

(b) In the event anyone serving in the classified service of the State of Alabama shall accept appointment as an investigator and shall later be removed or resign from the position of investigator, the person shall revert to his or her former position in which he or she held status in the classified service. The reversion shall be without loss of salary or other benefits which would have accrued to the person and to which he or she would have been entitled had he or she remained within the classified service.

(c) When designating the salaries, the Attorney General shall choose from among the salary ranges set by the State Personnel Board for employees of the Alabama Department of Public Safety.

(d) The establishment of the range and step within the range of the starting salary shall be at the discretion of the Attorney General upon the appointment of each investigator and may vary between persons so appointed.

(e) All investigators appointed pursuant to this article shall be entitled to all benefits provided employees of the Alabama Department of Public Safety including, but not limited to, participation in any retirement plan afforded state troopers. Such investigators shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Attorney General.

(f) The salaries, expenses, and benefits of the investigators appointed pursuant to this article shall be paid from the State Treasury in the same manner that the salaries, expenses, and benefits of employees in the classified service are paid.