Sec. 8. (a) The safety board may employ civilian technical and clerical personnel to work with the police department as civilian radio operators, radio technicians, chemical technicians, laboratory technicians, and other civilian technical personnel and clerical personnel that are required. The safety board shall fix the salary to be paid to the civilian technical and clerical personnel subject to the budgetary procedures applicable to the department of public safety. The civilian technical and clerical personnel are not eligible to be members of any police pension fund.
(b) The safety board may establish a merit system for civilian personnel appointed under subsection (a). However, in establishing a system the safety board shall consult with the state personnel board concerning the form and content of the merit system.