The register herein required to be kept shall be subject to the inspection at any time by the chief of police, any police officer, the sheriff, the deputy sheriff, the city attorney, the district attorney or any person authorized in writing to make inspection by the chief of police. Upon request, the pawnbroker shall show to such officer or person for inspection any article or articles purchased, taken or received, unless such article or articles have already been disposed of. (1997 Code § 9-501)