Advice on Non civil service departments

What is the difference between working for a non civil service town and a civil service one? I am contemplating applying to a small town near my residence (Part time since I do not have the MCJTC full time academy). I never had a reason to apply to non civil service places and I have no political contacts.

I have heard some bad comments about non civil service departments, but I still would like to check it out. I did apply to one non civil service town a while ago and they hired a person (Part time paid position) with only one year of experience and no type of academy.

I guess my question would be to all the non civil service cops out there what can I expect. I work currently with a guy who claims he worked full time for a non civil service town for six years and suddenly didn't get reappointed because he gave a cousin of a selectman a ticket....But so many people tell stories I don't know if it is true and I don't understand this "reappointment every year" thing.
Any advice would be great. Thanks.