1. (a) On or after April 26, 2016, a person qualifying for election to the office of sheriff in Elmore County or any person appointed to serve as a sheriff in Elmore County shall meet all of the following minimum qualifications, in addition to any other qualifications required by law:

   1. (1) The person is a citizen of the United States.
   2. (2) The person has been a resident of the county for at least one year immediately prior to the qualification date.
   3. (3) The person has the qualifications of an elector pursuant to state and federal law and the person has been registered to vote in the county at least one year immediately prior to qualifying.
   4. (4) The person has been awarded a four-year college degree in criminal justice or a related field of study from an accredited university.
   5. (5) The person is 25 years of age or older prior to qualifying.
   6. (6) The person at the time of qualifying has three or more years of immediate prior service as a law enforcement officer having the power of arrest.
   7. (7) The person has never been convicted of a felony.
2. (b) Upon election, the Sheriff of Elmore County shall attend annually a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education approved by the Alabama Sheriff’s Association.

(Act 2016-195, §2.)