Okla. Stat. tit. 47, § 47-2-102: Commissioner of Public Safety - Qualifications -

Appointment - Vacancy - Expenses - Bond - Oath.

A. 1. The Department shall be under the control of an

executive officer to be known as the "Commissioner of Public

Safety", who shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and

consent of the Senate.

2. The Commissioner of Public Safety shall be a professional

law enforcement officer with ten (10) years' experience in the field

of law enforcement or with five (5) years' experience in the field

of law enforcement and a graduate of a four-year college with a

degree in law enforcement administration, law, criminology or a

related science.

3. Any vacancy in the office of the Commissioner shall be

filled in the same manner as the original appointment is made.

4. The Commissioner shall be allowed the actual and necessary

expenses incurred in the performance of official duties of the

Commissioner while away from the office.

B. The Commissioner of Public Safety, after appointment and

before entering upon the discharge of duties, shall take and

subscribe to the oath of office required by the Constitution.

Bonding of the Commissioner of Public Safety and other employees of

the Department will be provided under the provisions of Section

85.26 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

C. The Commissioner of Public Safety shall be eligible to

participate in either the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement

System or in the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System and

shall make an irrevocable election in writing to participate in one

of the two retirement systems.

D. Any employee of the Department of Public Safety appointed to

the position of Commissioner shall have the ability to return to the

previous position of the employee without any loss of rights,

privileges or benefits immediately upon completion of the duties as

Commissioner, provided the employee is not otherwise disqualified

due to disciplinary reasons, termination of employment or inability

to effectively lead the agency.