(a) Unless otherwise provided by charter, the mayor of a Class III city or Class IV town or village that has a paid police department that is not subject to the civil services provisions set out in article fourteen of this chapter, may appoint a chief of police.
(b) A Class III city or Class IV town or village may provide by ordinance whether the individual appointed chief of police who held a position as a member of the paid police department prior to his or her appointment as chief of police shall be reinstated to the officer's previous rank following his or her term as chief of police.
Structure West Virginia Code
Chapter 8. Municipal Corporations
Article 10. Powers and Duties of Certain Officers
§8-10-1. Powers and Duties of Mayor
§8-10-1a. Authority to Hire Special Counsel; Consent to Other Representation
§8-10-1b. Authority to Appoint Police Chief; Reinstating to Previous Rank
§8-10-2. Municipal Court for Municipalities
§8-10-3. Powers and Duties of Recorder
§8-10-4. Powers and Duties of Recorder or Clerk Relating to Warrants, Oaths, Sureties and Bonds