(a) On written application by a member of the police department, a municipality may grant the person a leave of absence to enable the person to enroll full-time in college to pursue a course of study related to law enforcement or public safety.
(b) The person is entitled to continue receiving employee benefits, including health and life insurance and accumulation of retirement credit, while on leave under Subsection (a) if the person pays both the person's and the municipality's share of the cost of the benefits.
(c) On reinstatement, the person shall receive full seniority credit for the time spent on leave under Subsection (a).