(1) The members of the Tennessee highway patrol shall be appointed by the commissioner of safety, by and with the consent and approval of the governor.
(2) Members shall serve at the will and pleasure of the commissioner.
(3) Members' compensation is to be fixed by the commissioner, with the approval of the governor.
(4) Each member of the Tennessee highway patrol, upon the member's appointment and before entering upon the member's duties, shall swear and subscribe to the following oath: “I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of Tennessee, and will well and faithfully perform the duties imposed upon me as a member of the Tennessee highway patrol to the best of my ability; that I will serve the state of Tennessee honestly and faithfully, and will obey the orders of the officers and officials placed over me according to law.”
(5) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, each member employed after July 1, 2006, shall meet the requirements for minimum standards as set forth in title 38, chapter 8, part 1, and as required by the Tennessee peace officer standards and training commission; however, these Tennessee highway patrol members shall not be entitled to receive a police pay supplement as authorized under § 38-8-111.