Section 15-5-105 - Employment and appointments generally; appointment of chiefs(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, no person may be employed or appointed in the fire or police department except from the list of eligible persons certified by the commissions to the governing body. (b) Appointment of a person to the office of chief of the fire department may be made from within or without the department and any appointment shall be based upon competitive examinations and merit. However, subject to equal qualifications, members of the department from the next lower grade shall be given preference for appointment to that office. (c) This section does not apply to the appointment, tenure or office of the chief of police. However, if any member of the police department is appointed chief of police, he shall remain on the list of eligible persons certified and his classification remains the same at the end of his term as chief of police.