The Police Department shall consist of the Police Chief and any further number of regular police officers as may be duly ordered by resolution of the Council. The Police Chief shall, subject to the direction of the Mayor, have control and management of all matters relating to the Police Department, and its officers and members, and shall have the custody and control of all property and books belonging to the Department. He or she shall devote his or her whole time to city affairs, the interests of the city, and to the preservation of peace, order, safety, and cleanliness thereof. The Department shall execute and enforce all laws and also the orders of the Mayor. It shall be the duty of the Department to protect the rights of persons and property. There shall be a proper police force at all fires. The Department shall take notice of all nuisances, impediments, obstructions, and defects in the streets, avenues, alleys, business places, and residences of the city. The Department shall execute, or cause to be executed, the processes issued and shall cause all persons arrested to be brought before the proper court for trial as speedily as possible. The Police Chief, and all regular and special police officers, shall become thoroughly conversant with the laws of the city, and shall see that the same are strictly enforced, and shall make sworn complaints against any person or persons for violation of the same.
(1973 Code, § 3-401)