Personnel of the highway patrol; rank classifications; probationary status of new patrol officers; subsistence; special assignments.

(1) The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shall employ patrol officers, as authorized by the Legislature in appropriating funds for their salaries exclusive of those members of the patrol who are assigned to and paid by special departments; and shall establish the necessary supervisory ranks within the Florida Highway Patrol to efficiently supervise and carry out the designated functions of the patrol and the department in accordance with the regulations established by the Department of Management Services.

(2) Each person who is employed as a patrol officer shall be carried on a probationary status for the period of 1 year from date of employment, during which period he or she may be dismissed without recourse. Patrol officers when sent on special detail or missions out of their regular assigned territories or headquarters shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061.

(3) The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shall assign one patrol officer to the office of the Governor; said patrol officer so assigned shall be selected by the Governor and shall have rank and pay not less than that of a lieutenant of the Florida Highway Patrol, and said patrol officer so assigned shall be paid by said department from the appropriation made to said department; said patrol officer shall have and receive all other benefits provided for in this chapter or any other statute now in existence or hereinafter enacted.

(4) Upon request of the Attorney General, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shall assign one or more patrol officers to the Office of the Attorney General for security services.