Newly sworn-in Genesee County sheriff looks to change perception of law enforcement, Flint Updated Jan 07, 2021; Facebook Share FLINT, MI -- Chris Swanson was 18 when he first applied to become a seasonal marine deputy for the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department. During the hiring process, Swanson said he was asked: “At the end of your career, what do you want to have accomplished?” “I looked around and said ‘I’m going to run this place,’” Swanson said. Now he does. Chris Swanson was sworn in as Genesee County’s 40th sheriff Wednesday, Jan. 6. Genesee Circuit Court Judge Brian Pickell, the son of Swanson’s predecessor, Robert Pickell, performed the ceremony.