Sec. 143.103. SPECIALIZED POLICE DIVISIONS. (a) A peace officer employed by a municipal department in which the peace officer performs duties in a specialized police division, including a person employed as a park police officer, airport police officer, or municipal marshal, is entitled to civil service status under this chapter. The governing body of the municipality employing a peace officer in a specialized police division shall classify the officer in accordance with Section 143.021 and the duties performed by the peace officer.

(b) Except for positions classified in the communication or technical class, the governing body of the municipality employing a peace officer in a specialized police division shall classify a position in the division in the same class as a police officer position that is not in a specialized police division. A member of a particular division is eligible for promotion or lateral crossover to a position outside that division. The head of the police department, assistant chiefs of police, and deputy chiefs of police, or their equivalent, regardless of name or title, may exercise the full sanctions, powers, and duties of their respective offices in the supervision, management, and control of the members of those classes and divisions, subject to the decisions of the department head regarding the chain of command in the department.

(c) In departments in which a collective bargaining agreement or a meet-and-confer agreement exists, Subsection (b) must be approved by the collective bargaining agent, meet-and-confer agent, or entity representing the sworn officers of the department. This subsection does not apply to the transfer of police officers.

(d) Each applicable provision of this chapter, including the provisions relating to eligibility lists, examinations, promotions, appointments, educational incentive pay, longevity or seniority pay, certification pay, assignment pay, salary, vacation leave, and disciplinary appeals, applies to a peace officer employed by the municipality in a specialized police division as provided by this section.

Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1195, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.