The Police Department shall consist of the Chief of Police and such further number of regular police officers as may be duly ordered by resolution of the governing body. The Chief of Police shall, subject to the direction of the Mayor, have control and management of all matters relating to the Police Department, its officers and members, and shall have the custody and control of all property and books belonging to the department. 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. The Department shall take notice of all nuisances, impediments, obstructions and defects in the streets, avenues, alleys, business places and residences of the municipality. 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 Chief of Police and all regular and special policemen shall become thoroughly conversant with the laws of the municipality, and shall see that the same are strictly enforced and shall make sworn complaints against any person or persons for violation of the same.
(1999 Code, § 3-401)