The Mayor and the Chief of Police are hereby authorized to excuse from duty, without deduction in pay, any regular member of the Police Department because of sickness or accident contracted in the ordinary course of events or for injury or sickness arising within the scope of his duty.
However, the Mayor and the Chief of Police may require proof of such sickness, accident or disability by physical examination on the part of any physician whom they may choose; or the Mayor and the Chief of Police may accept the certificate of a regular practicing physician. (1940 Code §365, 366, 368)