1438 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 592

Aldermen. The Commissioners upon their own initiative or
upon complaint filed with them (or with any one of them)
against any policeman, or in the manner hereinafter pro-
vided, shall make such investigation as the matter may war-
rant and shall be empowered to discharge a policeman or
suspend him for such period of time as said Commissioners
deem warranted or take such other action as in their judg-
ment is proper. At least three of the Commissioners must
concur in the action taken by the Commission for said action to
be effective. The proceedings conducted by the Police Commis-
mission shall be private and only the opinion and decision of
the Commission shall be made public. Any policeman com-
plained against who shall feel aggrieved by the action of the
Commission shall have the right to appeal the decision of the
Commissioners to the Board of Aldermen within fifteen (15)
days from the rendition of said decision. The Board of Alder-
men, providing at least three members thereof concur, shall
have the right to amend or change the action of the Com-
missioners in any manner they deem proper. In the con-
sideration of the appeal the Board of Aldermen may examine
the proceedings conducted before the Police Commission,
providing the record of such proceeding is duly authenticated
as being a correct record of such proceedings by the chair-
man or secretary of said commission, may summons and hear
any witnesses it may desire and shall hear the policeman or
policemen against whom charges have been made. The proceed-
ings conducted by the Board of Aldermen shall be private and
only the opinion and decision of the Board shall be made
public. The Board of Aldermen, in the event of an amend-
ment or the changing of the action of the Police Commission
may make public its reasons for such amendment or change.
In no event shall a policeman be removed from the payroll
for a longer period of time than such period of time as is
set by the Board of Aldermen, in the event the decision of
the Commission is appealed to the Board of Aldermen. No
policeman who has been discharged shall be eligible for re-
appointment.

The following offenses and such as may hereafter be pre-
scribed by ordinance or rules and regulations adopted by the
Board of Aldermen shall be considered sufficient to warrant
suspension or discharge:

(a) Cowardice.

(b) Wilful disobedience of rules or orders.

(c) Any act of cruelty, tyranny or oppression toward a
civilian or any other officer.

(d) Conduct unbecoming an officer.