WM. PRESTON LANE, JR., GOVERNOR. 1697

(c) Any person so suspended, removed or reduced in rank
may appeal therefrom to the Commission, by a statement in
writing, and the Commission shall forthwith grant him a
public hearing on the circumstances thereof.

(d) If as a result of any such hearing the Commission
shall by a majority vote determine that the said suspension,
removal,, or reduction in rank, or discharge, was in violation
of any provision in this Article, it shall reverse the order of
suspension, removal, or reduction in rank, or discharge,
and the appellant shall forthwith be re-instated in his former
position and paid at his regular rate of compensation for the
time he was so suspended, removed or reduced in rank, or
discharged. The Commission shall report to the Mayor and
City Council any such reversal of an order of suspension,
removal, or reduction in rank,, or discharge.

(d-1) Any person so suspended, removed or reduced in
rank, or discharged, shall have a right to appeal to the Cir-
cuit Court of Allegany County, which shall hear the case de
novo. The Court may either affirm or reverse the decision of
the Commission. If the decision is reversed, the appellant
shall be reinstated in his former position and paid at his
regular rate of compensation for the time he was so sus-
pended, removed or reduced in rank, or discharged.

(e) Every person suspended or removed for the purpose of
reducing the force, and without fault upon his part, shall
receive a certificate so stating. All persons so suspended or
removed shall be placed upon the eligible list in the order of
the length of their service and shall have preference over
others on the eligible list.

82. POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS. The Chief of
Police and the Chief of the Fire Department may peremp-
torily suspend or remove any subordinate under his direction,
for neglect of duty, insubordination, or misconduct, but shall
report such suspension or removal to the appointing author-
ity within twenty-four hours. The appointing authority shall
thereupon affirm, modify or reverse the suspension or re-
moval by the Chief of Police or the Chief of the Fire Depart-
ment. If the appointing authority determines that the said
subordinate shall be suspended, removed, or reduced in rank,
the provisions hereinabove in this sub-title shall be applicable
to such suspension, removal, or reduction in rank.

83. VETERANS. Any person in the Classified Service
who is inducted into the armed forces of the United States,
or who enlists therein in time of war or other national

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