Bentley Adkison wants to be a police officer.

Thursday afternoon the Oak Harbor boy had a chance to check out the police station, including climbing behind the wheel of a police cruiser and hitting the siren.

“We want him sitting in the front of the car — not the back,” his mother quipped.

The Oak Harbor Police Department open house was one of a series of events the city is holding as part of its centennial celebration.

A steady stream of kids (and their parents) got tours of the building, their own police vests and a chance to check out some of the department’s tools and toys. One officer demonstrated heavy -duty gear, including a giant tool called “the key” that’s great for busting open the mobile-home doors of bad guys.

Officer Claire Schricker led tours through the building, where sensitive areas were cordoned off with yellow police tape. She showed children a memorial outside for a reserve officer and shared a little of what it’s like working for a small-town force: Officers do most everything themselves, including collecting their own evidence.

“It’s great for people to see police officers not on a call,” Schricker said. “They can see us as people and interact with us.”

Elizabeth Willis of Oak Harbor brought her children, David, 5, and Layla, 3.

“Every time we drive by they ask about (the police station),” she said. “They were over-the-moon.”

Other events:

Utilities Department Open House, all October, City Hall, 865 S.E. Barrington Drive. Drop by and pick up free Halloween candy.

Centennial Photo Display, time to be determined, Nov. 5, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Regency on Whidbey, 1040 S.W. Kimball Drive.

Holiday Open House, 4-6 p.m., Dec. 10, City Hall, 865 S.E. Barrington Drive. Refreshments and prizes.