Qualifications; waiver.

A. Court security officers of county sheriff departments of class A counties shall meet all the prerequisites for permanent appointment as peace officers as stated in Section 29-7-8 NMSA 1978 [repealed]. B. All court security officers provided for pursuant to Subsection A of this section shall be commissioned as peace officers with full powers and responsibilities while within the confines of the county courthouse or as otherwise specified by the court. C. Court security officers employed by county sheriff departments of class A counties on January 1, 1977 shall be exempted from the provisions of Subsection A of this section.