It was a cool beginning for new Chief of Police Jim Hyde during his swearing in Monday morning as an easy breeze blew fresh off the river, the sunlight was bright and kind, and his wife Susan - a sergeant in the Sacramento police department pinned the gold chief's badge to his dark blue shirt and kissed him.

Hyde stood tall in front of the columns of the palatial police building at Fourth and L streets as City Clerk Jolene Martin swore him in.

He vowed, 'With no mental reservations to well and faithfully support the Constitution of the United States of America and of California.'

In his invocation, Chaplain Roger Kuehn asked God, 'Please give him patience, grace and wisdom to deal with the diverse population that all cities have.'

In outlining what the department would be doing, Hyde often added the words 'continue to ...' as a modest nod to progress underway before his arrival. He did speak of expanding community policing, though, and to helping the youth of the community develop into leaders.

He is taking over at a time when Antioch residents have expressed anxiety about crime, many of them having spoken out loudly and frequently at City Council meetings this year.

Police brass and officers from all over the area formed a major part of the audience at Hyde's swearing-in ceremony. His immediate predecessor, Mark Moczulski, stood in the shade off to the side.

Former chief Len Herendeen had a front row seat. He said to his wife Barbara, 'It's been 14 years since we dedicated this building.' The building looked good for any age.

Captain Shirahashi of the Sacramento police department - where Hyde served for many years - said, 'I wouldn't miss it.' The Sacramento district attorney's office sent a representative. Stars, bars and chevrons on sleeves were much in evidence.

Antioch City Manager Jim Jakel said Hyde was everybody's first choice, including himself, retiring chief Moczulski, the review panel, 'and the panel that reviewed the review panel.' Jakel and Hyde have work to do, and they both sounded confident that they are up to it.

A member of the press approached Hyde after the ceremony and said he would like to talk to him soon. Hyde said what he had told members of the NAACP: 'We'll have a cup of coffee.' A modest invitation, but it resonated like Lyndon Johnson's, 'Come, let's reason together.'

Hyde's speech - pointing out that officers are called upon to serve - quoted St. Francis Xavier: 'Forget your small ambitions.'