Indiana Code Title 36. Local Government § 36-8-4-6

Sec. 6. (a) This section applies only to:

that are not governed by a merit system prescribed by statute or ordinance.

(b) Promotion of police officers or firefighters must be from the active personnel of the department.

(c) A person appointed fire chief must have had at least five (5) years of continuous service with the department immediately before the fire chief's appointment.  However, this requirement may be waived by a majority vote of the city legislative body upon request of the city executive, although the person must still have at least five (5) years service with a full-time, paid fire department or agency.

(d) A person appointed to a rank other than police or fire chief or deputy police chief must have had at least two (2) years of continuous service with the department immediately before the person's appointment.