§ 2-320

(a) This section applies only in Carroll County.

(b) (1) The Sheriff of Carroll County shall receive an annual salary of $140,000 beginning December 5, 2023.

(2) Beginning in 2026, the salary for the Sheriff shall be $191,078.10.

(3) Beginning in 2027, the salary for the Sheriff shall be $212,309.

(c) (1) The Sheriff may employ the number of personnel necessary for the proper execution of the duties of office.

(2) Personnel shall receive the compensation set by the County Commissioners of Carroll County.

(d) (1) Personnel employed by the Sheriff:

(i) Shall be placed on a probationary status; and

(ii) May be dismissed by the Sheriff for any reason.

(2) After the probationary period, personnel may only be disciplined or dismissed for just cause:

(i) In accordance with the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights, if the employee’s rights are covered under this bill of rights; or

(ii) In accordance with the personnel rules and regulations of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, if the employee’s rights are not covered under the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights.

(e) Except for an appeal taken pursuant to the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights, an appeal by an aggrieved party shall be taken to the Circuit Court for Carroll County.

(f) The Sheriff may also appoint a chief deputy and a warden who shall serve at the pleasure of the Sheriff.

(g) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Sheriff may appoint special deputy sheriffs who are:

(i) Members of the police force of a Carroll County municipal corporation;

(ii) Selected by the chief of police of the municipal corporation; and

(iii) Verified by the chief of police of the municipal corporation as having achieved at least the minimum level of training for police duties in a municipality as designated by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission.

(2) The appointment of special deputy sheriffs under paragraph (1) of this subsection is subject to the following conditions:

(i) The Sheriff may assign the duties of special deputies;

(ii) The Sheriff may terminate the appointment of a special deputy sheriff at will or on completion of the assignment for which the special deputy was appointed;

(iii) A special deputy sheriff shall remain an employee of the municipal corporation for the purpose of unemployment insurance or employee benefits; and

(iv) The Sheriff’s liability insurance coverage within its terms shall be provided to a special deputy sheriff under this section only when the special deputy is acting within the special deputy’s official duties.