"Congratulations, chief," Rick Dinse said as Chris Burbank finished reciting the oath of office, followed by a loud round of applause.
And with those words, the baton was passed Friday as Salt Lake City officially welcomed its new police chief.
"I'm truly overwhelmed today," Burbank said.
Burbank, a University of Utah graduate, has spent his entire 15-year law enforcement career with the Salt Lake City Police Department and has risen from the ranks of downtown bicycle patrol to assistant chief to now chief.
He also worked in Internal Affairs, SWAT, the gang unit and was a venue commander during the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Burbank was a popular choice of not only many of the department's officers but the retiring chief as well.
"If I had to script my retirement I would not have done it in a better way," Dinse said. "He has risen in this department by his own skill and maturity. . . . He proved himself to be every bit the leader he is and will be. I can't think of anyone better prepared to assume this position. . . . He is going to take this police department to new levels."
Dinse had Burbank repeat the oath of office after him. He then presented the new chief with his four-stars to wear on his uniform, the same ones Dinse wore, and his new police badges.
"This truly is a vote of confidence from all involved that I take very seriously," Burbank said. "I'm very excited for this opportunity."
Burbank said one of his immediate goals for the department is to first increase its recruiting efforts as the number of applications has gone down in recent years.
He also wants the department to tap into the latest technological innovations to fight crime, particularly identity theft, and forge partnerships with state and federal agencies for its prevention.
E-mail: preavy@desnews.com