(a)    In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b)    “Civilian classification” means the position held by a civilian employee.

(c)    “Civilian employee” means an employee of the Department other than a police employee.

(d)    (1)    “Commissioned rank” means the ranks of Lieutenant, Captain, Major, and Lieutenant Colonel.

(2)    “Commissioned rank” does not include the Secretary.

(e)    “Department” means the Department of State Police.

(f)    “Grade” means the status of police employees that have the same primary areas of duty and responsibility within a rank.

(g)    (1)    “Law enforcement agency” means a law enforcement agency of a department, county, or municipal corporation of the State.

(2)    “Law enforcement agency” includes:

(i)    sheriffs; and

(ii)    similar agencies of other states and the United States.

(h)    (1)    “Noncommissioned rank” means a rank other than a commissioned rank.

(2)    “Noncommissioned rank” does not include the Secretary.

(i)    “Police employee” means an employee of the Department to whom the Secretary assigns the powers contained in § 2-412 of this title.

(j)    “Rank” means the status, established by rule, of police employees that have the same relative position in the chain of command.

(k)    (1)    “Rule” means a rule, order, or other directive adopted by the Secretary under this article.

(2)    “Rule” does not include a regulation within the meaning of Title 10, Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article.

(l)    “Secretary” means the Secretary of State Police.