1. A. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, all probation-parole officers shall be deemed peace officers and shall possess the powers granted by law to peace officers. Probation-parole officers shall meet all of the training and qualifications for peace officers required by Section 3311 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Qualifications for probation-parole officers shall be good character and, except for those probation-parole officers employed prior to May 4, 1974, a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university including at least twenty-four (24) credit hours in any combination of psychology, sociology, social work, criminology, education, criminal justice administration, penology or police science. Provided, that any employee of the Department, formerly classified and who worked as a probation-parole officer for at least one (1) year, who was later promoted to an administrative or supervisory position within the Department and who has been employed continuously by the Department may be reappointed to the position of probation-parole officer without having to meet the currently established qualifications in this act.
2. B. Persons employed as probation-parole officers on or before July 1, 1988, shall not be qualified and certified as peace officers until completion of the requirements of Section 3311 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Said officers shall complete the requirements prior to January 1, 1990.

Laws 1967, HB 566, c. 261, § 15, emerg. eff. July 1, 1967; Amended by Laws 1971, SB 169, c. 83, § 4, emerg. eff. April 16, 1971; Amended by Laws 1974, HB 1500, c. 155, § 2, emerg. eff. May. 4, 1974; Amended by Laws 1975, SB 23, c. 106, § 1; Amended by Laws 1975, HB 1613, c. 366, § 5, eff. October 1, 1975; Amended by Laws 1976, HB 1794, c. 188, § 1, emerg. eff. June 4, 1976; Amended by Laws 1986, SB 419, c. 314, § 17, emerg. eff. July 1, 1986; Amended by Laws 1987, HB 1294, c. 156, § 6, eff. November 1, 1987; Amended by Laws 1988, SB 403, c. 310, § 11, emerg. eff. July 1, 1988.