(a) A sheriff may appoint deputies who need not be legal residents of the State, one or more of whom shall be a woman. The duties of deputy sheriffs shall be the same as those imposed by law on sheriffs and other peace officers in the enforcement of the criminal law. A deputy shall not perform an official act until his or her deputation and oath are filed for record in the office of the county clerk. A sheriff may dismiss a deputy and revoke his or her deputation. Such revocation shall be recorded in the office of the county clerk and shall take effect from the day of such record.

(b) A sheriff may appoint persons as deputy sheriffs to serve civil process, including child support enforcement as provided in 15 V.S.A. § 800, whom the sheriff shall train and supervise. Such deputies need not be qualified law enforcement officers, but if not so qualified shall not have arrest powers, and shall not carry firearms in performance of their duties in serving civil process.

(c) The powers of deputy sheriffs with respect to criminal matters and the enforcement of the law may be exercised statewide. (Amended 1977, No. 218 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 1987, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Jan. 26, 1988; 2009, No. 146 (Adj. Sess.), § C20; 2013, No. 49, § 4.)