(a) Authority within the Police Department shall flow from the Chief of Police through the other officers and policemen downward in order of rank and seniority within rank; and subordinates shall have the powers and perform the duties of their immediate superiors when such superiors are absent or disabled.
(b) Each member of the Police Department shall obey all lawful orders of his superiors in the chain of command.
(1975 Code Sec. 14-4)