Delrish Moss speaks during an interview Monday, May 9, 2016, in Ferguson, Mo. Moss is to be sworn in Monday afternoon as Ferguson's first black police chief and says he hopes to diversify the mostly white department as it rebounds from the fallout of months of unrest that followed the fatal 2014 police shooting of Michael Brown. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

FERGUSON, Mo. - The Latest on Ferguson's new police chief (all times local):

3:15 p.m.

The embattled police force in Ferguson officially has a new chief.

Delrish Moss was sworn in Monday, becoming the first permanent black chief in the St. Louis suburb where 18-year-old Michael Brown, who was black and unarmed, was fatally shot by a white officer in 2014. The officer was not charged but the shooting was a catalyst for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Moss spent his entire 32-year career with Miami police and planned to retire in September. He said in an interview with The Associated Press that he felt called to Ferguson, even though he had planned to retire in September. He was chosen from among 54 applicants.

Moss grew up in a tough Miami neighbourhood and saw firsthand examples of racially biased policing. He says he will encourage officers to find ways to positively interact with the community.

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11:55 a.m.

Ferguson's new police chief says he was ready for retirement this year, but something about the city drove him to take on a new challenge.

Delrish Moss will be sworn in Monday as chief in the St. Louis County town where the fatal 2014 shooting of Michael Brown, who was black and unarmed, by a white officer spurred months of unrest. A judge last month approved Ferguson's settlement with the U.S. Justice Department that seeks to eliminate bias and reform the municipal court and police department.

Moss becomes Ferguson's first permanent black chief. He spent his entire 32-year career with Miami police and planned to retire in September. He told The Associated Press that after a lifetime of service, he was ready to hang out on the beach.

But Moss grew up in a tough Miami neighbourhood and saw firsthand examples of racially biased policing. Developing a better relationship between the community and police was part of his job in Miami, and he felt he had something to offer in Ferguson.

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7:45 a.m.

Ferguson's first black police chief is taking over as the St. Louis County town introduces reforms intended to address concerns about racial bias.

Veteran Miami officer Delrish Moss will be sworn in Monday afternoon.

Moss has said he hopes to diversify the mostly white department as it rebounds from the fallout of months of unrest that followed the fatal 2014 police shooting of Michael Brown. A judge last month approved Ferguson's settlement with the U.S. Justice Department to amend the municipal code, eliminate bias and reform the courts and police department.

Moss spent 20 of his 32 years in Miami as public information officer. He replaces Tom Jackson, who resigned in March 2015 following a Justice Department report critical of Ferguson's criminal justice system.

News from © The Associated Press, 2016