The police department shall have the power to enforce the street traffic regulations of this town and all of the state vehicle laws applicable to street traffic in this town, to make arrests for traffic violations, to investigate accidents and to cooperate with the officers of the town in the administration of the traffic laws and in developing ways and means to improve traffic conditions. Officers of the fire department, when at the scene of a fire or other emergency, may direct or assist the police in directing traffic there or in the immediate vicinity. (1998 Code)