§ 208. Members of police force to have one day rest in seven. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law, every member of the police force in a city, county, town or village, except in case of an emergency, shall be allowed at least twenty-four consecutive hours of rest in any calendar week, without diminution of the salary or compensation as fixed by or pursuant to law. The term "emergency" within the meaning of this section shall be deemed to mean and include, a national war, a strike or riot, a conflagration, a general or special election, a public celebration, and other like public emergencies requiring attendance by the police force.