HONOLULU -- Honolulu's new police chief was sworn in at a ceremony at Honolulu Hale on Wednesday.

Louis Kealoha is the city's 10th police chief.

There was an unprecedented show of support from rank and file police officers outside the mayor's office for the swearing-in.

Kealoha took his oath surrounded by top police brass and his family, including his proud mother, who sat in the front row.

After he was sworn in, his wife, Kathy, and daughter, Kristina, pinned four stars on each shoulder and he told the gathering he has many things to be thankful for.

"My beautiful family, my beautiful friends, thank you for coming and the opportunity to serve as the chief of police for the city and county of Honolulu," said Kealoha.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann congratulated the new chief.

"He brings with him energy, optimism, hope and a plan to make our police department even better, and I like that," Hannemann said.

Outside the mayor's office, several hundred police officers lined the third floor of city hall waiting for a chance to greet the new chief.

Officers said previous chiefs were sworn in with just a few close family and friends present, so the show of support from the rank and file is unprecedented.

More than 100 officers wrote letters and e-mails of support to the police commission in the past few weeks urging them to choose Kealoha, who's been on the force for 26 years.

In the last few days, three of the police department's highest ranking brass have announced they're retiring, giving Kealoha three top slots to fill at the police department.