§ 16-52. Powers and duties of marshal or chief of police.

(a)

Execute process; preserving peace: The marshal or chief of police shall, without delay, execute all lawful process or orders, that may be directed or given to him by the mayor, governing body, police justice or others authorized to issue process on behalf of the city; and shall use his utmost endeavor to prevent and suppress all crimes, breaches or disturbances of the peace, indecent or disorderly conduct, and any violations of the laws and the ordinances of the city.

(b)

Arrest: It shall be the duty of the marshal or chief of police at all times to arrest, with or without warrant, and to take before the police court for examination all persons violating or attempting to violate any laws of this state, or any ordinance, law or order of this city.

(c)

Supervision of police: The marshal or chief of police may suspend any policeman for misconduct or failure to perform his duty, and shall report all such suspensions to the mayor with the cause thereof. He shall have and exercise general supervision and control of the police force of the city, subject to the orders of the governing body and shall report to the mayor any policeman who may be derelict in his duty, or guilty of any improper conduct, either when on or off duty.

(d)

Investigations: When parties have been arrested, the marshal or chief of police shall ascertain the names of all the witnesses and report the same, together with all the facts of each case to the police justice or city prosecuting attorney.

(e)

Meetings, police court sessions: The marshal or chief of police shall be personally present at all regular and special meetings of the governing body and sessions of the police court, and wait upon and execute the orders thereof. He shall notify the members of all meetings of the governing body, regular and special, and shall see that the meeting chamber is provided with necessary heat, air conditioning, lights, water and stationery, and shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be required of him by the governing body.

(f)

Control of prisoners: The marshal or chief of police shall have control of, and be responsible for, every prisoner arrested for violating any ordinance or law, and on conviction shall receive from the police justice a mittimus, and shall execute the same according to law.

(Code 1962, § 2-51; Ord. of 10-13-69, § 1)

State law reference

Powers and duties of marshal or chief of police, Miss. Code 1972, § 21-21-1.