There is hereby established, under the jurisdiction of the attorney general, a division to be known as the Kansas bureau of investigation. The director of the bureau shall be appointed by the attorney general, subject to confirmation by the senate as provided in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 75-4315b, and amendments thereto, and shall have special training and qualifications for such position. Except as provided by Kan. Stat. Ann. § 46-2601, and amendments thereto, no person appointed as director shall exercise any power, duty or function as director until confirmed by the senate. In accordance with appropriation acts, the director shall appoint agents who shall be trained in the detection and apprehension of criminals. The director shall appoint an associate director, and any such assistant directors from within the agency as are necessary for the efficient operation of the bureau, who shall have the qualifications and employee benefits, including longevity, of an agent. The director also may appoint a deputy director and, in accordance with appropriation acts, such administrative employees as are necessary for the efficient operation of the bureau. No person shall be appointed to a position within the Kansas bureau of investigation if the person has been convicted of a felony.

The director, associate director, deputy director, assistant directors and any assistant attorneys general assigned to the bureau shall be within the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act. All other agents and employees of the bureau shall be in the classified service under the Kansas civil service act and their compensation shall be determined as provided in the Kansas civil service act and shall receive actual and necessary expenses.

Any person who was a member of the bureau at the time of appointment as director, associate director or assistant director, upon the expiration of their appointment, shall be returned to an unclassified or regular classified position under the Kansas civil service act with compensation comparable to and not lower than compensation being received at the time of appointment to the unclassified service. If all such possible positions are filled at that time, a temporary additional position shall be created for the person until a vacancy exists in the position. While serving in the temporary additional position, the person shall continue to be a contributing member of the retirement system for the agents of the Kansas bureau of investigation.

Each agent of the bureau shall subscribe to an oath to faithfully discharge the duties of such agent’s office, as is required of other public officials.