Section 55626 - Civil service commission created; appointments; vacancies(a) Subject to section 625(a), a civil service commission is established in each township where a police force or paid firefighters force is maintained.(b) The commission shall consist of three civil service commissioners who shall be qualified electors of the township and shall be appointed by the board of commissioners initially to serve for the terms of two, four and six years. Upon the expiration of the term of a civil service commissioner, the successor shall be appointed for a term of six years.(c) A vacancy occurring in the commission for any reason shall be filled by the board of commissioners for the remainder of the unexpired term no later than 30 days after the vacancy occurs.(d) Before entering upon the discharge of the duties of office, a civil service commissioner shall take an oath or affirmation of office in accordance with 53 Pa.C.S. § 1141 (relating to form of oaths of office).(e) The board of commissioners may appoint no more than three qualified electors of the township to serve as alternate members of the commission. The term of office of the alternate members shall be six years. If seated pursuant to section 628, an alternate shall be entitled to participate in all proceedings and discussions of the commission to the same and full extent as provided by law for commission members, including specifically the right to cast a vote as a voting member during the proceedings, and shall have all the powers and duties set forth in this act and as otherwise provided by law. Alternates shall hold no other office in the township. An alternate may participate in any proceeding or discussion of the commission but shall not be entitled to vote as a member of the commission unless designated as a voting alternate member pursuant to section 628.(f) The civil service commissioners shall receive no compensation.1931, June 24, P.L. 1206, art. VI, § 626, added 1949, May 27, P.L. 1955, § 20. Amended 2002, June 12, P.L. 373, No. 54, § 1, effective in 60 days; 2020, Oct. 29, P.L. 782, No. 96, § 33, effective in 60 days [Dec. 28, 2020].