(a) The circuit judges of the First and Fifth Divisions of the Sixth Judicial District may appoint a chief probation officer and a deputy probation officer.
(b)
(1) The duties of the chief probation officer shall include the supervision of all persons on probation, the investigation of all matters referred to him or her by the court relating to the granting of suspended sentences, and the investigation of any other matters that may be referred to him or her by the court.
(2) The deputy probation officer shall perform all duties delegated to him or her by the chief probation officer, and all those referred to him or her by the court.
(3) The chief probation officer and the deputy probation officer, in the performance of their duties, may exercise all the powers of a deputy sheriff, which powers shall include the powers to make arrests, carry weapons, and serve summonses.
(c)
(1) The salary of the chief probation officer shall be twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) per calendar year, which salary shall be paid by Pulaski County.
(2) The salary of the deputy probation officer shall be twenty-three thousand five hundred dollars ($23,500) per calendar year, which salary shall be paid by Pulaski County.
(3) Any probation officer funded through or by the Board of Corrections is specifically excluded from the provisions of this section.
(d) Nothing in the provisions of this section shall be construed to repeal or modify the laws now in effect relating to the duties of the State Parole Officer.
(e)
(1) The salaries of the chief probation officer and coordinator probation officers set by this section and by county ordinance shall be amended to provide for an increase of the minimum salaries of four percent (4%) as of July 10, 1987; and another increase of four percent (4%) beginning December 26, 1987; and another increase of four percent (4%) beginning December 24, 1988, unless a higher salary is provided by any other legislative act or county ordinance.
(2) All of the salaries shall be paid by Pulaski County. All of the salaries shall be paid biweekly by Pulaski County.
(3) When the county quorum court raises salaries for county employees, it shall also raise salaries an equivalent amount for the employees provided for in this subsection.
(4) The employees covered by this subsection shall be treated by Pulaski County in the same manner as other Pulaski County employees for all other purposes.