Ala. Code § 32-2-2
There is hereby created within the Department of Public Safety the position of Assistant Director of Public Safety, which position shall be in lieu of that of confidential assistant provided for by Section 36-26-10, which shall be filled by appointment by the Governor, and the appointed person shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and may be removed by the Governor; and the appointment, service, and removal of the assistant director shall not be subject to the state Merit System regulations.
The duties of the Assistant Director of the Department of Public Safety shall include direction and coordination of the activities of the Department of Public Safety, subject to and under the control and supervision of the Director of Public Safety. Such assistant director shall receive an annual salary not to exceed that salary fixed by Sections 36-6-5 through 36-6-7 to be paid from the funds of the Department of Public Safety in the same manner as other state employees are paid.
Ala. Code § 32-2-2 (1975)