Young islander honored as police chief for a day

Bainbridge Island's Sean Sweeney is chief for a day.

Bainbridge Island has a new police chief on duty. Well, for a day at least.

Sean Sweeney has been honored as chief for a day for the Bainbridge Island Police Department.

Sweeney was nominated by staff from the Bainbridge Island School District. The 13-year-old will be entering seventh grade at Woodward Middle School in the fall.

“Sean was given an overwhelming recommendation by his teachers,” Commander Sue Schultz said.

The chief-for-a-day event is run through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center. Bainbridge Island is a participating member of the program.

Sweeney was sworn in at Wednesday’s council meeting at city hall. Island judge Kathryn Carruthers performed the ceremony in the council chambers before the city council, staff and an audience.

Sweeney will get a few perks from his title as chief. He received a tailor-made Bainbridge Island Police uniform and a badge. He got to sport the uniform while he rode in the lead police car in the island’s Fourth of July parade.

On Aug. 16, Sweeney will take on his role as chief and ride in a limo to Burien for another swearing-in ceremony with other chief-for-a-day honorees from other Washington cities. Afterwards, he will be treated to a lunch and enjoy a variety of presentations from law enforcement personnel from K9 to SWAT units.