§ 39-03-03 — Troopers - Appointment - Removal - Duties

The superintendent, the assistant superintendent, and the troopers constitute the highway
patrol. The highway patrol shall enforce the provisions of the laws of this state relating to the
protection and use of highways and shall patrol the highways and cooperate with sheriffs and
police in enforcing the laws regulating the operation of vehicles and the use of highways. All
troopers and the assistant superintendent must be appointed by the superintendent. Each
trooper appointed is deemed a probationary employee for an initial period of six months, during
which the trooper must be placed under probationary training and service and is subject to an
extension of an additional period of six months or dismissal at the will of the superintendent or
the superintendent's designee. At the end of the probationary period, a probationary employee
must either be taken off probationary status or dismissed. A nonprobationary employee
employed in a regular, classified position is subject to removal for cause by the superintendent
or the superintendent's designee, but the employee may appeal a dismissal under chapter
54-44.3 provided the removal of the assistant superintendent from the assistant superintendent
position does not entitle that person to appeal the removal unless that person also is dismissed
from the patrol.