DETROIT — The son of a Detroit Police Department lieutenant got to boss around his old man — and his old man’s boss — for a day.

Seven-year-old Carter Widmer was sworn in Wednesday as “Chief for the Day” by the department’s official chief, James Craig. He flew into headquarters via helicopter, slapped some handcuffs on his father, Lt. John Widmer, and spent time with a police dog.

That part was particularly gratifying, since Carter donated $250 of his Christmas money to the Detroit Police K-9 Unit.

Carter says he wants to follow his father into law enforcement. The elder Widmer says his son’s temporary promotion was a surprise, but exciting for the family.

The uniformed Carter was by-the-book and just-the-facts when asked what he thought about being chief: “Really cool.”