§14-1-4. Officers and employees generally.

(a) The department may appoint officers and employees as it may require for the performance of its duties and shall fix and determine their qualifications, duties, and authority. The employees of the department, except the Commissioner of Corrections and the deputy commissioners of corrections, not to exceed three, shall be subject to the law with respect to the method, selection, classification, and compensation of state employees on a basis of merit.

(b) The Department of Corrections shall not rescind any employee position with the classification of "correctional officer" and replace them with an employee of a lower classification or pay.

(c) The rules and regulations of the State Personnel Department shall not be applicable to the appointment, tenure, or compensation of physicians, surgeons, psychiatrists, psychologists, dentists, or allied professional supportive personnel employed by the department.

(d) The deputy commissioners and all other appointed personnel shall serve at the pleasure of the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections.

(Acts 1953, No. 202, p. 267, §4; Acts 1975, No. 873, p. 1728, §1; Acts 1978, No. 595, p. 717, §1; Acts 1995, No. 95-575, p. 1210, §1.)