Berkeley County civil service commission adopts revised open-hire rules, shortens marijuana disqualification period

The Berkeley County Deputy Sheriff Civil Service Commission on June 18, 2025, unanimously adopted revised open‑hire rules and regulations that change drug‑use eligibility standards, clarify procedures for candidates who decline promotions or tests, and create a special‑circumstances process for makeup examinations.

Commission records show the commission approved the revised document with an effective date of June 18, 2025. Commissioner Wilson, who presented the changes at the meeting, summarized the new drug and eligibility language and walked the commission through three principal edits that had remained from the drafting process.

The changes shorten the period during which marijuana use disqualifies an applicant. The new text, as read into the record, states that “any applicant for the position of deputy sheriff must be clean and sober from alcohol and any and all illegal substances or scheduled narcotics.” It further specifies that an applicant “for a period of at least 12 months prior to application . . . cannot have used or have any use of marijuana, synthetic or natural, and this includes medical marijuana.” Commissioner Wilson said the 12‑month period replaced a prior 36‑month standard.

The commission also adopted a written‑decline procedure for candidates who choose not to take a written exam or promotional opportunity. Under the new rule, candidates must notify the civil service commission in writing within five days of receiving notice of eligibility or within five days of notification that they passed the written exam. After a vacancy occurs, the commission will ask the sheriff’s office every 30 days whether any new candidates have become eligible; the process repeats until an eligible candidate both exists and desires to test, the rules state.

A new “special circumstances” section was added to address short‑notice emergencies that prevent a candidate from testing. The rule requires the candidate (or a representative) to contact at least one commissioner before testing and to provide a detailed reason and supporting documentation. If preliminarily approved, the commission will hold a special meeting within three business days to consider a makeup test date; the requesting deputy is responsible for providing documentation, witnesses and other evidence, the document says. Commissioners discussed examples such as sudden hospitalizations to explain why the clause was included.

Commissioners and staff emphasized that most portions of the rules remain specific and “black and white” while allowing limited case‑by‑case relief where documentation warrants it. The commission recorded the motion to adopt the rules and closed discussion by voice vote; the chair announced the motion approved by voice vote after commissioners answered “aye.”

The adopted document also consolidates and simplifies prior lengthy drug lists into a concise set of paragraphs that define “habitual use” as “use that is done regularly or repeatedly,” and states each situation will be evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis.

The commission’s action changes local civil service administration for deputy sheriff hiring and promotion; implementation details such as filing procedures and notice templates were discussed for staff follow‑through at future meetings.