1. The board shall hear all complaints or charges filed against any member of the police department. All complaints or charges filed by persons other than the commissioners or police officers shall be verified by the oath of the person filing such complaints or charges. The board may at any time order the discharge of a specified number of police officers for the reason that in the opinion of the board, the police force is larger than the interests of the public demand or that there is insufficient money to pay the expenses of maintaining the police force as then organized; and in such cases it shall not be necessary to file any complaint or charges or to permit a hearing by the board of the policemen or police officers to be removed; but policemen and police officers so dismissed shall be placed at the top of the suitable eligible lists, and when vacancies so created shall be filled the policemen or police officers thus removed shall, if they so desire, be reappointed to fill such vacancies in the order in which such policemen or police officers were removed.

2. Any member of the board shall have power to summon and compel the attendance of witnesses before the board and the production of books and papers before them whenever it may be necessary for the more effective discharge of the board’s duties and responsibilities. Any member of the board or the secretary of the board shall have the power to administer oaths or affirmations to any person appearing or called before said board.