ART. 3. ] BALTIMORE COUNTY. 461

therein set forth are true to the best of his knowledge and
belief, and shall contain blanks to be filled in by four reputable
citizens of said county, certifying that the applicant is known
to them for not less than one year, and in character and habits,
to the best of their knowledge and belief, is in all respects
fit for the service which he wishes to enter. All appointments
shall be hereafter made from applications filed not less than
one month or more than two years previous to such appoint-
ment; such appointee shall not be less than twenty-one years
nor more than forty-five years of age; all officers shall be
retired from service at an age not exceeding fifty-eight years.

290. The County Commissioners may at any time remove
any officer from the police service for any offense against law
or good morals, for neglect of duty, inefficiency, physical or
mental disability or breach of. discipline; provided, the charge
or reason for such dismissal may be made is first reduced to
writing, and after due notice given such officer, he shall be
given a hearing before the Commissioners on written charge
or reason for removal, with opportunity to produce evidence
in his own defense; counsel may be heard only in the discre-
tion of the Commissioners, whose decision of the case shall be
final; police officers, after appointment, shall serve until re-
moval by the Board of Commissioners, or until their services
are terminated by death, resignation or retirement. The
Board of Commissioners may punish any officer for any offense
by fine not exceeding $50, or by suspension not exceeding one
month; but in such cases the charges shall be reduced to
writing and a fair hearing be given. The Commissioners shall
cause to be kept in their office a minute book or books of
county police in which shall be recorded a list of all applica-
tions, and date of appointment of all officers of the force, all
charges preferred and dispositions made thereof, all fines, sus-
pensions, removals or resignations, all commendations and all
public reprimands issued by the board, and such other pro-
ceedings concerning the police force as the board may deem
necessary and proper. Nothing in this sub-title shall be con-
strued as forbidding the Commissioners from making, at any
time, a permanent reduction in the police force; and the mar-
shal of police is exempt from the provision of this and the
preceding section.

291. It shall be the duty of said marshal to require each
policeman, at such times of the day or night as he may be upon
duty, to preserve the public peace, prevent crime and protect
the rights of persons and property; to see that all laws rela-
ting to the observance of Sunday, and in regard to gambling,
intemperance, vagrants and disorderly persons, are strictly