Tenn. Code Ann. § 6-21-602: Duties

It is the duty of the chief of police and the members of the police force to:

(1) Preserve order in the city;

(2) Protect the inhabitants and property owners therein from violence, crime, and all criminal acts;

(3) Prevent the commission of crime, violations of law and of the city ordinances; and

(4) Perform a general police duty, execute and return all processes, notices, and orders of the mayor, city manager, city attorney, and recorder, and all other processes, notices, and orders as provided in this charter or by ordinance.