15-5-303. Pension board; composition; election and term of police members.

If a policemen pension fund is established, the governing body and three (3) members elected from the police department constitute the policemen pension board to manage the fund as provided in this article. The police department shall elect three (3) regular qualified members to the board every two (2) years. The election shall be held in the police headquarters on a date fixed by the secretary of the board, but not more than thirty (30) nor less than fifteen (15) days before the regular municipal election. Written notice of the nomination of any member of the department for membership on the board shall be filed with the secretary of the board. Each notice of nomination shall be signed by not less than three (3) members of the department, and any member may sign more than three (3) notices of nomination. Notice of the dates upon which notices of nomination may be filed and for the election shall be given by the secretary of the board by posting a written notice in a prominent place in the police department headquarters. The secretary shall furnish printed or typewritten ballots containing the names of all persons nominated for membership and a ballot box for the election. The chief of the department shall appoint two (2) members of the department to act as officials of the election, and they shall receive their regular wages for the day, but no additional compensation. The polls shall open at 8:00 a.m. and remain open as long thereafter, not exceeding twelve (12) hours, as will afford each member of the department an opportunity to vote. Each member of the police department is entitled to vote for three (3) persons as board members. The three (3) nominees receiving the highest number of votes are elected as members of the board, and their terms commence on the same date as does the term of the mayor of the city or town.