Section 59-A. Placement of detectives and investigators in classified service

1.  The  legislature  hereby  finds  and  declares  that  the  continued,  uninterrupted, adequate and efficient operation of detective
  and  investigative  units  in  local  police,  correction  or   sheriffs
  departments  is  necessary  for  the general welfare of the people; that
  such adequate operation involves  and  requires  personnel  with  highly
  specialized  ability,  skill,  training, and knowledge; that local civil
  service commissions may decide to classify  such  positions  where  they
  constitute  bona  fide  civil  service positions as evidenced by factors
  including enhanced pay, benefits, and dignity of  position;  that  while
  competitive   examination   has  been  deemed  practicable  for  certain
  detective and investigator positions, to require  such  examination  for
  valid  appointment  of current long standing employees would irreparably
  disorganize detective or investigative operations, endanger  the  public
  safety,  interrupt the continuity and effective performance of important
  investigatory operations.
    2. Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter or any provisions to
  the contrary contained in any  general,  special,  or  local  laws,  any
  person  holding  a  permanent  competitive class appointment as a police
  officer, correction officer of any rank or deputy sheriff  in  a  police
  force,  police department or sheriffs department in a jurisdiction other
  than a city with a population of  one  million  or  more  or  the  state
  department  of  correctional services, who was serving in a detective or
  investigator capacity,  as  designated  by  such  police  force,  police
  department  or  sheriffs  department,  on  the  date  such  position was
  classified by the local civil service commission having jurisdiction and
  for at least eighteen months  immediately  preceding  such  date,  shall
  receive a permanent appointment to a detective or investigator position,
  in  such  title as may be properly classified by the local civil service
  commission  having  jurisdiction,   without   further   examination   or
  qualifications  and  shall  have  all  the  rights and privileges of the
  jurisdictional class to which such position may be allocated.