Section 1. Appointment of Deputy Sheriffs.--(a) The sheriff of a county of the second class may subject to Article XVIII of the Second Class County Code, act of July 28, 1953 (P.L.723, No.230) appoint such deputies as may be necessary to properly transact the business of his office: Provided, however, That hereafter every appointment to and promotion in the force of deputy sheriffs of such counties shall be made only according to qualifications and fitness to be ascertained by examinations which shall be competitive as provided in this act. The compensation of deputy sheriffs shall be paid by the county.
(b) No deputy sheriff in the county of the second class, except those not covered by this act, shall be appointed, promoted, reduced in rank, suspended, furloughed, discharged or reinstated, except in accordance with provisions of this act.
(c) All positions of the rank of sergeant and below shall be classified as competitive.