(a) On or after April 22, 2021, an individual qualifying for election to the office of sheriff in the county or any individual appointed to serve as a sheriff shall meet all of the following minimum qualifications, in addition to any other qualifications required by law:
Terms Used In Alabama Code 45-15-233
Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
United States: includes the territories thereof and the District of Columbia. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
year: means a calendar year; but, whenever the word "year" is used in reference to any appropriations for the payment of money out of the treasury, it shall mean fiscal year. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
(1) Is a citizen of the United States.(2) Has been a resident of the county for at least one year immediately prior to the qualification date.(3) Has the qualifications of an elector pursuant to state and federal law and has been registered to vote in the county for at least one year immediately prior to qualifying.(4) Has been awarded a high school diploma or a GED equivalent.(5) Is 25 years of age or older prior to qualifying.(6) Has three or more years of full-time prior service as a law enforcement officer having the power of arrest, which service is certified by the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission.(7) Has not been retired or separated from full-time active law enforcement certified through the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission for more than two consecutive years from the date of qualifying or, in the event the individual has been retired or separated from active law enforcement for more than two consecutive years, has obtained a re-certification of full-time active law enforcement status as a law enforcement officer from the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission prior to the date of qualifying.(8) Has never been convicted of a felony criminal offense in this state or convicted of a criminal offense in another jurisdiction where a conviction of the offense would be considered a felony offense in this state.(b) Upon election, the sheriff of the county shall attend annually a minimum of 20 hours of executive level continuing education approved by the Alabama Sheriff’s Association, National Sheriff’s Association, or any other recognized executive level continuing education program designed for law enforcement.
