Sec. 12. Subject to IC 3-5-9, members of the safety board and members of any township, town, or city (including a consolidated city) police department, fire department, or volunteer fire department (as defined by IC 36-8-12-2) may:
(1) be candidates for elective office and serve in that office if elected;
(2) be appointed to any office and serve in that office if appointed; and
(3) as long as they are not in uniform and not on duty, solicit votes and campaign funds and challenge voters for the office for which they are candidates.