KRS 70.045: Special deputies.

(1) (a) The sheriff of a county with a population of ten thousand (10,000) or more

may appoint and have sworn in and entered on the county clerk order book

either:

1. One (1) special deputy for each two thousand five hundred (2,500)

residents or part thereof in his county; or

2. Up to a maximum of ten (10) special deputies, regardless of the

population of the county;

to assist him with general law enforcement and maintenance of public order.

(b) The sheriff of a county with a population of less than ten thousand (10,000)

may appoint and have sworn in and entered on the county clerk order book

one (1) special deputy for each one thousand (1,000) residents or part thereof

in his county, to assist him with general law enforcement and maintenance of

public order.

The population of the county shall be determined by the most recent count or

estimate by the Federal Bureau of Census.

(2) The sheriff in each county may appoint and have sworn in, and entered on the

county clerk order book, as many special deputies as neede d to assist him in the

execution of his duties and office in preparation for or during an emergency

situation, such as fire, flood, tornado, storm, or other such emergency situations. For

purposes of this section only, an emergency situation is a condition which, in the

judgment of the sheriff, requires a response immediately necessary for the

preservation of public peace, health or safety, utilizing special deputies previously

appointed in preparation for the contingency.

(3) The special deputy shall:

(a) Be appointed and dismissed on the authority of the sheriff;

(b) Not receive any monetary compensation for his time or services;

(c) Serve at the request of the sheriff, unless personal conditions rule otherwise;

(d) Be answerable to and under the supervision of the sheriff, who shall be

responsible for the actions of the special deputy; and

(e) Be appointed regardless of race, color, creed, or position.

(4) The position of special deputy as created and defined in subsections (1), (2), and (3)

is subject to the provisions of this section only.