(1) This chapter does not apply to a county of the first class or an interlocal entity, as defined in Section 11-13-103, in which a county of the first class is a party to an interlocal agreement to provide law enforcement service.
(2) The sheriff of each county with a population of 20,000 people or more who regularly employs one or more peace officers shall:
(a) appoint peace officers and fill vacant positions for peace officers:
(i) with the advice and consent of the county legislative body;
(ii) subject to the rules of the merit service commission; and
(iii) from the classified merit service list furnished by the merit service commission; and
(b) promote, transfer, demote, suspend or remove peace officers in accordance with this part.
(3) Every peace officer who is serving as such upon the effective date of this part is considered:
(a) fully qualified for such position without examination or test; and
(b) to have been appointed and to hold the position of peace officer in accordance with this part.
(4) Counties with a population of less than 20,000 people may implement a deputy sheriff merit system if:
(a) the county legislative body approves the deputy sheriff merit system; or
(b) the people of the county through referendum or initiative approve the deputy sheriff merit system.