Former WA police commissioner Chris Dawson has been sworn in as the 34th governor of Western Australia.
Upon taking the Oath of Office at the Government House Ballroom on Friday evening, Mr Dawson said he was "acutely conscious" of the responsibilities attached to the role.
"Like all former 33 governors, I'm certain I share something with them; a sense of humility in the honour of this appointment," he said.
"I'm passionate about Western Australia and its people, and I relish the opportunity to support and advocate for those who do share this passion, indeed love for our state, and its people."
After a career in the police force spanning almost half a century, Mr Dawson shared an anecdote from one of his first roles as a officer in 1978.
"One of my first shifts of duty was a night shift to guard this house," he said.
"To provide protection to the then Governor Sir Wallace Kyle and Lady Kyle; nothing happened by the way.
"It never entered my mind though that I would one day be privileged to take up residence as governor."
Hundreds of guests attended the ceremony including WA Premier Mark McGowan, former governors, state and Commonwealth ministers, as well as other judiciary bodies and representatives.
Mr McGowan said Mr Dawson's record as a police officer was "impeccable".
"And he led the police, as I know, over the last four years with verve, integrity, and a sense of commitment to the state and to his fellow officers.
"He's a decent, ordinary West Australian who has come from an ordinary background and through work and effort, has risen to high office."
It comes after Mr Dawson received an honourable send off on Thursday night at WA Police headquarters, ending his five-year appointment as commissioner.
Dawson 'instrumental' in handling pandemic
Mr Dawson was appointed commissioner in 2017 and went on to steer WA through the COVID-19 pandemic as State Emergency Coordinator, and at one stage as the state's Vaccine Commander.
He has overseen the enforcement of the state's border restrictions, vaccine mandates and public health rules.
When announcing Mr Dawson would take up the role earlier this year, Mr McGowan said he had been "instrumental" in handling the state's response to COVID and called him a "fine example of what it means to be a police officer".
Mr Dawson takes over the top job from Kim Beazley, who served as WA's 33rd Governor for more than four years.
The former federal Labor leader and US ambassador was appointed in 2018, with his focus on championing WA's interests and his commitment to making Government House more accessible to the general public.
At the time, Premier Mark McGowan described him as "one of WA's most respected citizens" and a great advocate for the state.
"I am proud to say that Governor Beazley fulfilled that promise and so much more," Mr McGowan said earlier this year.
"He has worked tirelessly to promote WA around Australia and around the world."
Mr Beazley spent almost 30 years in federal politics, including as deputy prime minister under Paul Keating before going on to serve two terms as opposition leader.
He was also an ambassador to the United States between 2010 and 2016, before returning to Australia to work for a number of policy and strategy think tanks.
A distinguished career in law enforcement
Mr Dawson's 46 years of service in law enforcement has seen him take on a range of portfolios, including being appointed as deputy commissioner in 2004.
The Queen's Birthday Honours List in 2002 also saw him awarded the Australian Police Medal for distinguished service.
Between 2014 and 2017, Mr Dawson served as the head of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, as well as working as the director of the Australian Institute of Criminology.
His appointment as WA's 28th police commissioner in 2017 saw him return the agency to being known as the Western Australia Police Force.
He also sought to improve the force's relations with WA's Aboriginal people, issuing a formal apology in 2018 for the mistreatment and past wrongs committed at the hands of police.
During his time as commissioner, Mr Dawson was involved in solving several high-profile cases, including the arrest and conviction of Claremont killer Bradley Robert Edwards.
Cleo Smith rescue a career-defining moment
He also lists the rescue of kidnapped Carnarvon four-year-old Cleo Smith as one of the best moments in his career.
He also said restructuring the organisation to take on a more "values-based approach" and seizing record amounts of methylamphetamine were also highlights.
Reflecting on his newest opportunity, Mr Dawson said fostering young leaders would be a particular focus.
However, it hasn't been the smoothest ride to the top for the state's new governor.
Mr Dawson has faced backlash for enforcing the state's vaccine mandate by members of the public, as well as his own.
Senior Constable Ben Falconer is currently challenging the validity of the direction from the former police commissioner, which required officers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, with his lawyers telling a Perth court it was "irrational".
Mr Dawson has also been in the spotlight recently following the resignation of hundreds of officers.
The WA Police Union said a "disturbing" lack of empathy from senior executives in the police force had caused more than 300 officers to quit over the past year.
A union survey of recently resigned staff showed 77 per cent had quit because of poor work culture and dissatisfaction with WA Police management.
It's an issue Col Blanch will have to take on after he replaced Mr Dawson as WA's police commissioner on Friday.
Mr Blanch said he was "humbled" to be selected for the position, having worked with Mr Dawson for the past eight years.
His career in policing spans more than 30 years, and he described himself as a police officer "through and through".
His said two of his priorities as commissioner will be ensuring police were visible in the community and solving crimes faster.
