GREENE – Special legislation allowing the villages of Greene and Oxford to bypass civil service law and promote two veteran police officers is awaiting approval from Governor David Paterson.

Because of their age, officers Norm L. Shaffer, Jr., 47, and Ronald Martin, 41, are ineligible to be hired full-time under state civil service law, which prevents villages from having any officer over the age of 35 on full-time duty.

Shaffer and Martin currently serve what equals 40 hours-a-week in part-time shifts for the Greene and Oxford police departments, officials from both villages said. A switch to full-time would allow them to collect health benefits and earn full-time credit in the state’s retirement system. Their salaries, given at roughly $37,440 annually, would not change.

Having the two full-time means the department wouldn’t have to scramble as often to fill shifts with part-timers, Greene Police Chief Steven Dutcher and Oxford Police Chief Rich Nolan said. It would also make scheduling regular rotations easier.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Tom Libous (R-Binghamton), passed in both the Senate and Assembly earlier this month. It now awaits Paterson’s signature.