A Bermuda-born law enforcer living in the United States has been sworn in as the first black sheriff of Kings County, California.

Dozens of friends and family ? some from Bermuda ? packed a King County courtroom to watch Chris Jordan become part of the jurisdiction?s law enforcement leadership.

The career police professional spent much of his childhood here. He is married now with three children.

Sheriff Jordan won the office in a November 2006 runoff versus Sheriff Allan McClain.

Mr. Jordan cruised with almost 60 percent of the vote.

Superior Court Judge Peter Schultz presided over the swearing in ceremony and had nothing but praise for the man making county history.

?If someone wanted to pick a word from the English language that Chris personifies,? said the jurist, ?it would be integrity.?

Sheriff Jordan?s agenda includes fully staffing the county?s new jail and addressing the low morale of his deputies.

?Our motto is: ?The best is yet to come,? he said yesterday. ?It?s an honour and privilege to serve you as sheriff.?

Mr. Jordan?s brother commented on his sibling?s history-making campaign where race rarely seemed to matter.

He told the Fresno Bee: ?Everyone said he was the ideal candidate. I think that says a lot,? said John Jordan.