Section 85.541 - Merit system police department, adoption - requirements of ordinance1. Any city of the third class may by ordinance adopt a merit system police department. Such police department shall have a chief of police, and may have a deputy chief of police, and such number of regular policemen of such rank or grade as may be prescribed by ordinance.2. Any ordinance adopting the merit system police department within the meaning of sections 85.541 to 85.571 shall include the following provisions for the appointment, promotion, suspension, demotion or discharge of members of the police department: (1) A personnel board shall be created which shall be composed of not less than three, but not more than six members;(2) The personnel board shall be required to give examinations to candidates for appointment or promotion and to certify lists of eligibles to the mayor or other appointing authority;(3) The mayor or other appointing authority shall be required to appoint or promote from a list of eligibles so certified;(4) All persons so appointed or promoted shall be entitled to hold office during good behavior and efficient service;(5) Any person suspended, demoted or discharged for misbehavior or inefficiency shall, upon his application, be granted a public hearing before the personnel board.L. 1955 p. 290 § 1, A.L. 1997 H.B. 125