BREMERTON — The city council chambers were unusually full on Wednesday night. A packed house saw Police Chief James Burchett sworn in to his new position.

Burchett, 54, who took over the top job on an interim basis after the departure of former chief Steven Strachan at the end of 2017, was chosen for the permanent role by Mayor Greg Wheeler and formally appointed last month.

Burchett joined the department in 1993. He became a detective in the Special Operations Group in 1996 and was promoted to sergeant in 2001. He became a lieutenant in 2003 and then was made a captain in 2006, which he said he thought would be the “pinnacle” of his career, but he noted that “God has other plans for your life sometimes, and he has a sense of humor.”

The 25-year veteran joked about witnessing first-hand how difficult the job of police chief can be and deciding it was not for him. But former chief Steve Strachan nudged him along anyway.

“One of his big goals was to have his subordinates become chiefs, and I was having none of it,” Burchett said. “Well, you win,” he added, which elicited laughter from the audience.

Along with Strachan, former chiefs Rob Forbes and Craig Rogers were also in attendance, an indication of the support and respect Burchett has within the department. And this was noted by the council after he was sworn in.

“It’s a great testament on your selection, the fact that we have our last three poilice chiefs in the audience in support of you,” said Council President Eric Younger.

Burchett lauded the work already done by Bremerton police and committed to ensuring the officers grow professionally in order to join the upper ranks of the department and continue its excellence.

“The Bremerton Police Department is populated by the most outstanding men and women I’ve ever worked with,” Burchett said.

One of Burchett’s big goals for his tenure as chief is to ensure the department is even more engaged with the community it serves.

“Our citizens want to know their police officers by name,” Burchett said.

— Mark Krulish is a reporter for Kitsap News Group. He can be reached at mkrulish@soundpublishing.com.

From left to right: Kimberly Burchett, Chief James Burchett, Mayor Greg Wheeler, and Bremerton’s three previous chiefs — Craig Rogers, Rob Forbes and Steve Strachan — standing in front of the Bremerton City Council. (Mark Krulish/Kitsap News Group)