A. The sheriff, treasurer or assessor in a county shall have the authority to employ a general counsel, either in-house as a staff attorney or through an outside law firm, to advise or represent that officer and his or her office in the performance of the official duties of that office. The Board of County Commissioners shall approve all contracts for outside counsel. A general counsel employed pursuant to this section shall be compensated from the funds of the employing county office.

B. The sheriff may employ outside counsel pursuant to this section to provide immediate representation to a deputy of the sheriff in a deputy-involved shooting incident; provided, the sheriff shall not continue payment to the counsel if the deputy involved is charged with any crime arising from the incident.