(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, the ranks within the law-enforcement section of the Division of Natural Resources are colonel, lieutenant colonel, major, captain, lieutenant, sergeant, corporal, natural resources police officer first class, senior natural resources police officer, natural resources police officer and natural resources police officer-in-training. Each officer while in uniform shall wear the insignia of rank as provided by the chief natural resources police officer.
(b) Beginning on July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2011, Natural Resources Police Officers shall be paid the minimum annual salaries based on the following schedule:
ANNUAL SALARY SCHEDULE (BASE PAY)
SUPERVISORY AND NONSUPERVISORY RANKS
Natural Resources Police Officer In Training (first year until end of probation) $26,337
Natural Resources Police Officer (second year) $29,768
Natural Resources Police Officer (third year) $30,140
Senior Natural Resources Police Officer (fourth and
fifth year) $30,440
Senior Natural Resources Police Officer First Class
(after fifth year) $32,528
Senior Natural Resources Police Officer (after
tenth year) $33,104
Senior Natural Resources Police Officer (after
fifteenth year) $33,528
Corporal (after sixteenth year) $36,704
Sergeant $40,880
First Sergeant $42,968
Lieutenant $47,144
Captain $49,232
Major $51,320
Lieutenant Colonel $53,408
Colonel
Beginning July 1, 2011, and continuing thereafter, Natural Resources Police Officers shall be paid the minimum annual salaries based on the following schedule:
ANNUAL SALARY SCHEDULE (BASE PAY)
SUPERVISORY AND NONSUPERVISORY RANKS
Natural Resources Police Officer in Training (first
year until end of probation) $31,222
Natural Resources Police Officer (second year) $34,881
Natural Resources Police Officer (third year) $35,277
Senior Natural Resources Police Officer (fourth and
fifth year) $35,601
Senior Natural Resources Police Officer First Class
(after fifth year) $37,797
Senior Natural Resources Police Officer (after tenth
year) $38,397
Senior Natural Resources Police Officer (after
fifteenth year) $38,833
Corporal (after sixteenth year) $42,105
Sergeant $46,401
First Sergeant $48,549
Lieutenant $52,857
Captain $55,005
Major $57,153
Lieutenant Colonel $59,301
Colonel $66,000
Beginning July 1, 2017, the director may set additional annual compensation for Natural Resources Police Officers based on rank and length of service in addition to the minimum annual salaries provided in this section in an amount payable solely from the Law Enforcement Program Fund and the Special Revenue License Fund. Each Natural Resources Police Officer whose minimum salary is fixed and specified in the Annual Salary Schedule in this section is entitled to the length of service increases set forth in section one-a of this article.
In applying the salary schedules set forth in this section where salary increases are provided for length of service, Natural Resources Police Officers in service at the time the schedules become effective shall be given credit for prior service and shall be paid salaries the same length of service entitles them to receive under the provisions of this section.
(c) This section does not apply to special or emergency Natural Resources Police Officers appointed under the authority of section one of this article.
(d) Nothing in this section prohibits other pay increases as provided under section two, article five, chapter five of this code: Provided, That any across-the-board pay increase granted by the Legislature or the Governor, and any increase in the base pay for the ranks within the law-enforcement section authorized by the director, will be added to, and reflected in, the minimum salaries set forth in this section; and that any merit increases granted to an officer over and above the annual salary schedule listed in subsection (b) of this section are retained by an officer when he or she advances from one rank to another: Provided, however, That any Natural Resources Police Officer who receives an increase in compensation pursuant to the amendment and reenactment of this section in 2011 shall not receive any across-the-board pay increase granted by the Legislature or the Governor in 2011.