§ 836. Division of criminal justice services; commissioner, organization and employees. 1. There shall be in the executive department a division of criminal justice services.

2. The head of the division shall be a commissioner, who shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, and hold office at the pleasure of the governor by whom he was appointed and until his successor is appointed and qualified. The commissioner shall be the chief executive officer of and in sole charge of the administration of the division. The commissioner shall receive an annual salary to be fixed by the governor within the amount available therefor by appropriation; and he shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for expenses actually and necessarily incurred by him in the performance of his duties.

3. The commissioner may, from time to time, create, abolish, transfer and consolidate bureaus and other units within the division not expressly established by law as he may determine necessary for the efficient operation of the division, subject to the approval of the director of the budget.

4. The commissioner may appoint such deputies, directors, assistants and other officers and employees, committees and consultants as he may deem necessary, prescribe their powers and duties, fix their compensation and provide for reimbursement of their expenses within the amounts appropriated therefor.

5. The commissioner may request and receive from any department, division, board, bureau, commission or other agency of the state or any political subdivision thereof or any public authority such assistance, information and data as will enable the division properly to carry out its functions, powers and duties.

6. The principal office of the division shall be in the county of Albany.

7. The functions, powers and duties of the former division of probation and correctional alternatives as established in article twelve of this chapter shall now be considered a function of the division of criminal justice services.