The Police Department and its police force have the power and it is their duty to:
A. 
Protect life and property.
B. 
Prevent crime.
C. 
Detect and arrest offenders.
D. 
Preserve the public peace.
E. 
Enforce all laws and ordinances over which the Police Department has jurisdiction.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
The Chief of Police shall be appointed according to the Civil Service Law and City Charter and is the chief executive officer of the Police Department.
During the temporary absence or disability of the Chief of Police, when no special designation is made by competent authority, the command automatically devolves upon the senior ranking member of the command. Said senior ranking member shall possess all the powers and perform all the duties of the Chief of Police, except the power of making changes in the rules and regulations, appointments, promotions, changes of assignment or detail, and shall carry out the orders previously given, and such orders shall not, except in cases of extreme emergency, be countermanded nor set aside; however, when such action is taken, a report shall be made to the Chief of Police, in writing, stating the reasons therefor in such instances.
The order of rank in the police force shall be:
A. 
Chief of Police.
B. 
Captain of Police.
C. 
Lieutenant.
D. 
Sergeant.
E. 
Detective/Corporal.
[Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
F. 
Patrolman.
Seniority is determined:
A. 
First, by continuous service in grade or rank.
B. 
Second, by date of appointment to previous rank, or ranks.
C. 
Third, by date of appointment to Department.
D. 
Fourth, by highest score on civil service list from which appointments were made.