J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                     909

(b)   Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Act, the respon-
sibilities of the Police Board shall be as follows:

(1)   To advise the Board of County Commissioners on matters per-
taining to the administration of the Harford County Police Depart-
ment.

(2)  To advise and assist the Chief of the Harford County Police
Department in the administration of his department.

(c)  The Chief of the Harford County Police Department will be
appointed by the Board of County Commissioners with the advice and
consent of the Police Board. The Chief shall be chosen on the basis
of his extensive experience in police work, executive ability, health,
knowledge of law enforcement problems and procedures, character
and reputation, and general fitness for the position.

(d)   The Chief of Police shall hold his office during good behavior
and shall be subject to removal by the Board of County Commis-
sioners upon the recommendation of the Police Board for incom-
petence or neglect of duty; but before any Chief may be removed
from office he shall be given a copy of the charge against him and
an opportunity of being publicly heard in person or by counsel in
his own defense, upon not less than ten days' notice.

(e)  The Chief of Police with the advice and consent of the Police
Board shall appoint such number of police officers, and other em-
ployees from lists duly furnished under the Harford County merit
system. ALL SUCH APPOINTEES SHALL BE UNDER THE
HARFORD COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM TO THE EXTENT THAT
THE SYSTEM IS NOT INCONSISTENT WITH OTHER PROVI-
SIONS OF THIS ACT. The number of officers and employees, the
ranks, grades, and salary schedules shall be those established by the
Board of County Commissioners, from time to time, upon the recom-
mendation of the Police Boards , CONSISTENT WITH THE HAR-
FORD COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM. The Chief of Police with the
approval of the Police Board and within limits of available appro-
priations, shall promote officers and employees to the rank, grade,
and position of the Department, as it may deem necessary for effi-
cient administration.

(f)  All police officers and other employees shall be on probation
for a period of two years from the date of appointment. The Chief
of Police, with the approval of the Police Board, may discharge any
probationer for cause he deems sufficient. The Chief of Police shall
have the power and authority to suspend for a period of thirty (30)
days, or less, without pay, any officer or employee of the Department
for such cause as he may deem right and proper. The Chief of Police
with the approval of the Police Board shall have full power and
authority to demote in rank or remove any permanent officer or em-
ployee of the Department, provided that he shall immediately report
such action and the reasons therefor in writing to the Board of
County Commissioners. Any officer or employee shall have the right
to request charges to be preferred against him by the Chief of
Police in writing and to have a public hearing before the Board of
County Commissioners in person or by counsel. The Board of County
Commissioners shall have the right to affirm, alter, or reverse the
action of the Chief of Police by such action as it may deem appro-
priate.