Section 3-2-1-101 - [Effective 12/26/2024] DEFINITIONS1. "Law enforcement officer" means any lawfully sworn officer or employee of the state or any political subdivision of the state whose duties require the officer or employee to investigate, pursue, apprehend, arrest, transport or maintain custody of persons who are charged with, suspected of committing, or convicted of a crime.2. "Fire fighter" means an individual who is trained for the prevention and control of loss of life and property from fire or other emergencies, who is assigned to fire-fighting activity, and is required to respond to alarms and perform emergency actions at the location of a fire, hazardous materials or other emergency incident.3. "Covered individual" means a part-time or full time law enforcement officer or fire fighter (as defined above) while actively engaged in protecting the lives and property of the citizens of this state when employed by an employer as defined below. Reserve/auxiliary law enforcement officers and volunteer fire fighters are also covered individuals. Employees of independent contractors are not included in this definition.4. "Employer" means a state board, commission, department, division, bureau, or agency, or a county, municipality or other political subdivision of the state, which employs, appoints or otherwise engages the services of covered individuals.5. "Regular base salary" means regular earnings, but excludes payments for overtime, shift premiums, incentive compensation, bonuses and other special payments.