Sec. 23. Police force generally.
   That the board of commissioners shall have the power to appoint a police force, to consist of a chief of police and such number of policemen as the good government of the city may require, who shall hold their office during the term of the board appointing them and until their successors are appointed. The chief of police or marshal shall give bond in such sum as the board of commissioners may prescribe, for the faithful discharge of the duties imposed by law and the ordinances of the town, and to faithfully account for all moneys that may come into his hands from fines, penalties and so forth. The chief shall have the supervision and control of the police force, and it shall be his duty to report to the mayor any dereliction of duty on the part of any member of the police force. It shall be the duty of the chief of police to attend the mayor’s court each day and report any violations of law or ordinances of the town, to collect all fines and penalties imposed and pay the same to the town treasurer, and to execute the orders and judgments of said court, see that the laws and ordinances of the town are enforced, and to do such other things as are required of him by the board. The chief of police and each member of the police force shall have all the power and authority vested in sheriffs and constables for the preservation of the peace of the town by suppressing disturbances and apprehending offenders; they shall execute all process directed to them by the mayor or others, and in the execution thereof shall have the same power which sheriffs and constables have. The chief and members of the police force shall take an oath before the mayor for the faithful performance of the duties required by law and ordinances.