The agency shall by resolution authorize the appointment of such number of law enforcement officers as the agency shall deem necessary for the proper enforcement of law and the providing of police protection within the county. All officers regularly appointed shall be qualified under the provisions of K.S.A. 74-5601 et seq., but an officer may receive a temporary appointment pending his completion of the requirements for such certificate. The agency shall determine and fix such additional minimum qualifications to be required of persons appointed as law enforcement officers as they may deem necessary and shall establish a civil service or job classification and merit rating system for law enforcement officers and shall adopt a schedule of salaries for the classifications so established. Such agency may provide for the examination of applicants and the administration of such civil service or rating system by county or city personnel or may appoint a commission for such purpose in the manner hereinafter provided. All deputies of the sheriff of such county or police officers of cities located within such county holding law enforcement training certificates and meeting such minimum qualifications may transfer to such department as hereinafter authorized. Law enforcement officers appointed under the provisions of this act shall be responsible to and shall be appointed and may be suspended or removed by the superintendent for cause. The superintendent shall within twenty-four (24) hours thereafter report such suspension or removal and the reason therefor to the agency or to each member of the commission if one be appointed who shall, as soon thereafter as possible, fully hear and determine the matter and affirm or revoke such suspension or removal.
K.S.A. 19-4409