Any person who shall appoint any applicant who, to the knowledge of the appointor, fails to meet the qualifications as a law enforcement officer provided in section 36-21-46 or the standards, rules and regulations issued by the commission under this article and any person who signs the warrant or check for the payment of the salary of any person who, to the knowledge of the signer, fails to meet the qualifications as a law enforcement officer provided in section 36-21-46 or any standard, rule or regulation issued pursuant to this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000.00.