(A) When the Mayor has reason to believe that the Chief of Police or any police officer has been guilty in the performance of his official duty of bribery, misfeasance, malfeasance, nonfeasance, misconduct in office, gross neglect of duty, gross immorality, or habitual drunkenness, he shall immediately file with Council written charges against that person, setting forth in detail a statement of the alleged guilt, and at the same time, or as soon thereafter as possible, serve or cause to be served a true copy of the charges with the person against whom the charges are made. This service may be made in person or by leaving a copy of the charges at the office of that person, and due return thereof made to Council.
(B) Council shall hear the charges at its next regular meeting unless Council extends the time for the hearing, which shall be done only on application of the accused. The accused may appear in person and by counsel, examine all witnesses, and answer all charges against him. To remove the officer, the votes of two-thirds of all members elected to Council shall be required. Council's decision removing the accused shall be appealable, as provided by R.C. §§ 737.15 and 737.16.
(C) Pending any of the proceeding the person may be suspended by a majority vote of all members elected to Council, but this suspension shall not be for longer than 15 days unless hearing of charges is extended upon application of the accused, and in that event the suspension shall not exceed a period of 30 days.
('56 Code, § 17-14-1)