Ferguson Names New Police Chief – blogged by @MsJennyb

The city of Ferguson, Mo. has named a new police chief. Delrish Moss, Miami Police Major and former homicide detective, will take over the department that became a war zone between law enforcement and African Americans after unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown was fatally shot by officer Darren Wilson. Brown’s death provoked months of protest, which helped trigger the national Black Lives Matter movement. 

Ferguson Mayor James Knowles III speaks on Moss in statement, “This has been a long and strenuous process, but we believe Major Moss is the right choice. We understand the past 18 months have not been easy for everyone, but the city is now moving forward and we are excited to have Major Moss lead our police department”

“Major Moss exemplifies the type of experience in law enforcement that we believe will enhance the many new programs within the Ferguson Police Department,” City Manager De’Carlon Seewood said in a prepared statement.

According to ABC News, In March 2015, the Justice Department issued a critical report of Ferguson, citing racial bias in policing and a municipal court system that made money at the expense of the poor and minority residents. In order to combat these issues, Moss is eager to work with all areas of the Ferguson community. In a city where African-Americans make up two-thirds of the residents, there is little representation of the community in the police department.

“The police department should be much more reflective of the community it serves. I certainly plan to hire more people of color, more women. I’d like to hire people from Ferguson who are actually committed to what happens there,” Moss explains.

Moss, 51, grew up in Miami’s inner city and lived through police misconduct riots. He also reveals that he was mistreated by two police officers as a teenager in Miami. He explained the incident left him scared and embarrassed and is what pushed him to become a police officer.

“I decided I needed to become a police officer to teach these people how to treat people.”  

Moss was one of 54 candidates for the job. Hopefully real positive change comes from this new leadership.

Moss is expected to begin work in early May and will also like to meet with Brown’s family to hear their story and remind himself of the task at hand.

Source: USA Today, ABC News