Effective with the first payday on or after February 1, 2002, all arresting officers employed by the Department of Public Safety shall receive a two-step, five percent, salary increase without affecting normal annual merit raise considerations, provided that the increases are within currently established pay ranges for the respective classifications. The Director of the State Personnel Department shall certify the same to the state Comptroller who shall issue warrants in accordance therewith.
Ala. Code § 36-6-70 (1975)