Section 36-21-4 Overtime - Compensation Generally.

Each state law enforcement officer in the service of the state who is assigned to duty for more than 40 hours during the calendar week shall be paid time and one half for such excess hours worked or he shall be given time and one-half compensatory leave as herein provided, except as hereinafter limited. Such officers shall normally work a 40-hour work week. Hours worked in excess of 40 hours in any calendar week shall be compensated at the rate of one and one-half times his regular rate of pay up to a maximum of eight hours per week; however, compensatory time at the rate of one and one-half times regular time may be paid for overtime worked. The decision of whether to accept overtime pay or compensatory time shall be at the sole option of the officer. For the time worked, when required by employee’s department, through September 30, 1977, hours worked in excess of 48 up to 54 hours, the officer shall be given straight compensatory time off. Time worked in excess of 54 hours per week shall be compensated at a rate of one and one-half times the regular pay or one and one-half times compensatory time at the discretion of the department. For the period October 1, 1977, and thereafter, all hours over 48 shall be one and one-half compensatory time or pay at the discretion of the department.