It shall be the duty of the members of the Police Department to see to the enforcement of all of the ordinances of the city and all statutes applicable therein; and to preserve order and prevent infractions of the law and arrest violators thereof. When any violation of any state statute or city ordinance shall come to the knowledge of the Chief of Police, or any member of the Police Department, he or she shall immediately make, or cause to be made, the proper complaint before the Circuit Court or a court of competent jurisdiction, and he or she shall cause all witnesses to be subpoenaed and all other evidence procured for trial. They shall take notice of all nuisances, impediments, obstructions and defects in or upon the public ways of the city and shall cause the same to be removed or abated or give immediate notice thereof to the proper city officer.
(1980 Code, § 9.004)