§ 25. General powers of police.

Be it further enacted, that it shall be the duty of the chief of police by himself or through the force under him and at his command, at all times, to preserve the public peace, good order and tranquility of said city and its inhabitants, to prevent the commission of crime and arrest offenders, to protect the rights of persons and property, to provide proper police force and protection at fires, to protect strangers and travelers within the city, to suppress riots and insurrections, to disperse unlawful and dangerous assemblages and assemblages which obstruct the free passage of public streets, sidewalks, parks, and other places, to preserve order at election and public meetings and assemblages, to regulate movements or teams and vehicles in the streets, and to prevent the violation of all laws and ordinances in force applicable to the police of said city.