Missouri Revised Statutes Title VI. County, Township and Political Subdivision Government § 57.015. Definitions

(1)“Deputy sheriff” or “officer”, any deputy sheriff who is employed full time by a law enforcement agency, authorized by this chapter and certified pursuant to chapter 590. This term shall not include an officer serving in probationary status or one year, whichever is longer, upon initial employment. This term shall not include any deputy sheriff with the rank of lieutenant and above, or any chief deputies, under sheriffs and the command staff as defined by the sheriff's department policy and procedure manual;

(2)“Hearing”, a closed meeting conducted by a hearing board appointed by the sheriff for the purpose of receiving evidence in order to determine the facts regarding the dismissal of a deputy sheriff. Witnesses to the event that triggered the dismissal may attend the hearing for the limited purpose of providing testimony; the attorney for the deputy dismissed may attend the hearing, but only to serve as an observer; the sheriff and his or her attorney may attend the hearing, but only to serve as an observer;

(3)“Hearing board”, the individuals appointed by the sheriff for the purpose of receiving evidence in order to determine the facts regarding the dismissal of a deputy sheriff;  1

(4)“Law enforcement agency”, any county sheriff's office of this state that employs county law enforcement deputies authorized by this chapter and certified by chapter 590.