§7-26-1. Creation; purpose; composition.

(a) For the purpose of providing better law enforcement for the counties of our state and for providing standardization and uniformity of services and operation of the sheriff offices throughout the state, there is hereby created the West Virginia Sheriffs' Bureau of Professional Standards.

(b) The bureau shall be comprised of nine members, as follows:

(1) Two statutory members:

(i) The Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, or his or her designee; and

(ii) The Executive Director of the West Virginia Sheriffs' Association; and

(2) Seven members representing the public and law enforcement to be appointed by the Governor:

(i) Five sheriffs of the counties of West Virginia, to be recommended for appointment by the West Virginia Sheriffs' Association; and

(ii) Two citizen members.

(c) Service of members of the bureau shall be conditioned upon signing all necessary nondisclosure agreements relating to confidential law-enforcement information.

(d) Each bureau member shall serve a two-year term commencing July 1, 2015, except that three of the first five sheriffs beginning their term on July 1, 2015, shall serve a one-year term expiring July 1, 2016, at which time new selections for regular two-year terms shall be made for these three positions.

(e) Any vacancy on the bureau for a sheriff position shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by selection of the West Virginia Sheriffs' Association. Any vacancy on the bureau for a citizen member position shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by appointment of the Governor.