As used in this part:
(1) "Appointing authority" means the county sheriff or the chief executive officer of a police interlocal entity.
(2) "Commission" means the merit system commission consisting of three individuals appointed in accordance with Section 17-76-304.
(3) "Department" means a county sheriff's office or a police interlocal entity.
(4) "Eligible appointment register" means the list made by a commission described in Section 17-76-310 that contains the names of all applicants that took the examination and that received a passing grade.
(5) "Examination" means the competitive examination to determine the qualification of an applicant for a position as a peace officer described in Section 17-76-307.
(6) "Legislative body" means the county legislative body or the governing body of the police interlocal entity.
(7) "Merit system officer" means a peace officer who has merit status as defined in this part.
(8) "Peace officer" means a paid deputy sheriff or law enforcement officer, other than a chief deputy or other exempt appointed officer designated by the appointing authority, who is in the continuous employ of the appointing authority.
(9) "Police interlocal entity" means an interlocal entity, as defined in Section 11-13-103, created:
(a) under Title 11, Chapter 13, Interlocal Cooperation Act, by an agreement to which a county of the first class is a party; and
(b) to provide law enforcement service to an area that includes the unincorporated part of the county.