§ 59-a. Placement of detectives and investigators in classified
service. 1. The legislature hereby finds and declares that the
continued, uninterrupted, adequate and efficient operation of detective
and investigative units in local police, correction or sheriffs
departments is necessary for the general welfare of the people; that
such adequate operation involves and requires personnel with highly
specialized ability, skill, training, and knowledge; that local civil
service commissions may decide to classify such positions where they
constitute bona fide civil service positions as evidenced by factors
including enhanced pay, benefits, and dignity of position; that while
competitive examination has been deemed practicable for certain
detective and investigator positions, to require such examination for
valid appointment of current long standing employees would irreparably
disorganize detective or investigative operations, endanger the public
safety, interrupt the continuity and effective performance of important
investigatory operations.

2. Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter or any provisions to
the contrary contained in any general, special, or local laws, any
person holding a permanent competitive class appointment as a police
officer, correction officer of any rank or deputy sheriff in a police
force, police department or sheriffs department in a jurisdiction other
than a city with a population of one million or more or the state
department of corrections and community supervision, who was serving in
a detective or investigator capacity, as designated by such police
force, police department or sheriffs department, on the date such
position was classified by the local civil service commission having
jurisdiction and for at least eighteen months immediately preceding such
date, shall receive a permanent appointment to a detective or
investigator position, in such title as may be properly classified by
the local civil service commission having jurisdiction, without further
examination or qualifications and shall have all the rights and
privileges of the jurisdictional class to which such position may be
allocated.