There is hereby created a police department of the city, and members thereof shall be citizens of the United States and shall be over the age of twenty one (21) years. Said department shall consist of a chief of police, appointed by the mayor with the consent of the city council, and subject to removal by the mayor at any time, and such number of police as may be from time to time authorized by the mayor and city council and appointed with their consent, and such special police as may from time to time be appointed by the mayor as exigencies arise. (2008 Code)