The several members of the police force of the city, when on duty, shall devote their time and attention to the discharge of the duties of their stations, according to the laws and ordinances of the city and the rules and regulations of the Department, to preserve order, peace, and quiet and enforce the laws and ordinances throughout the city; they shall have power to arrest all persons in the city found in the act of violating any law or ordinance, or aiding or abetting in any such violation, and shall arrest any person found under circumstances which would warrant a reasonable man to believe that such person had committed or is about to commit a crime.
(1977 Code, § 3-9-9)