Ch. 69

1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

such addition or change shall be provided for each member of the office[, who].
MEMBERS OF THE OFFICE shall familiarize [himself therewith] THEMSELVES WITH
THE RULES AND REGULATIONS.

(2) The Sheriff shall require each SWORN member of [his] THE SHERIFF'S
office[, at such times of the day or night as he may be upon duty,] to preserve the public
peace, prevent crime and protect the rights of persons and property; and to assist the
sanitary offices of the county to enforce faithfully and strictly all laws, rules and orders
that now exist or which may hereafter be passed or issued for the purpose of maintaining
and preserving the public health and to arrest all offenders against the laws of the state.

F.       In accordance with the provisions of the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of
Rights under Article 27, §§ 727 through 734D of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the
Sheriff may[, in his discretion,] suspend without pay, remove, dismiss, demote or
discharge any member of [his ] THE SHERIFF'S office for any offense against law or good
morals, for neglect of duty, inefficiency, physical or mental disability or breach of
discipline.

G.      (1) The County Commissioners [of Charles County are hereby authorized
and empowered to] MAY provide [clerks] CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS, DISPATCHERS,
ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL, AND OTHER EMPLOYEES AS THE COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS CONSIDER NECESSARY for the Sheriff of the [county, such clerks to]
COUNTY. PERSONNEL AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION SHALL be selected by
the Sheriff IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF AN ORDINANCE ADOPTED
UNDER SUBSECTION (C)(2) OF THIS SECTION. They shall have such duties as may be
assigned to them by the Sheriff and shall be subject to [his] THE SHERIFF'S direction
and supervision and removable by [him] THE SHERIFF at any time [ and]. THEY shall
receive such salary as [may be fixed] ESTABLISHED IN A LINE ITEM IN THE BUDGET
OF THE SHERIFF AS APPROVED by the County Commissioners [from time to time].
[The clerks] THESE PERSONNEL shall not be [deemed a part of the office of the
Sheriff] SWORN EMPLOYEES nor SHALL THEY BE entitled to the benefit of THE pension
[laws for members of the office] PLAN ESTABLISHED UNDER ARTICLE 25, § 3(G-1) OF
THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND, UNLESS SPECIFICALLY INCLUDED UNDER
THAT SUBSECTION.

(2) ANY EMPLOYEE OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WHO IS NOT PART OF A
SEPARATE PENSION PLAN BY LAW IS PART OF THE PENSION PLAN COVERING OTHER
EMPLOYEES OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

H. The Sheriff or a person authorized by [him] THE SHERIFF:

(1)     May destroy any contraband article or goods seized by or delivered to
the office after removing any money contained therein [.];

(2)     Shall sell at public auction all lost, abandoned, unclaimed, forfeited, or
[undistributed contraband or] stolen property remaining in the possession of the office
for a period of 6 months without a lawful claimant [.]; AND

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