A person seeking appointment to the office of chief of police shall provide a sworn statement to the city, which shall be under penalty of perjury, stating that he/she meets the requirements of RCW 35.21.333, as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended. Before entering upon the performance of his/her duties, the chief of police shall be required to take the following oath:

I, ______________, solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America, the State of Washington, Pierce County and the City of Gig Harbor, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully, and that I will obey the orders of the officers appointed over me according to the law and the rules and regulations of the Police Department, and that I will uphold the Constitution of the United States, the State of Washington, the laws of the State of Washington and the City of Gig Harbor.

The oath shall be taken in the presence of the mayor or the mayor’s designee and may be retaken at a regular meeting of the city council at the earliest convenience of the chief of police. The oath shall be filed with the county auditor. (Ord. 1499 § 1, 2022; Ord. 713 § 1, 1996).