Oakland Mayor Jean Quan and City Administrator Deanna Santana didn't wait long to announce their interim replacement for outgoing Police Chief Anthony Batts.
Thursday afternoon, as Batts and members of the police department command staff looked on, Assistant Chief Howard Jordan was given the job.
Quan said Jordan is the best and most prepared person for the job. She said he has been willing to take on "every tough job the city has," adding that he is ready to move forward in a way noone else in the department is.
"I am confident he possesses both the vision and the leadership skills to guide the Oakland Police Department," said Santana.
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This is not the first time Jordan has held the post. He served as interim chief for seven months in 2009. During Jordan's temporary command he led the department through a difficult time. It was during his tenure that four police officers were killed in the line of duty in a single day.
When Batts got the job instead of him in 2009, Jordan stayed on the force as Assistant Police Chief.
Jordan was sworn in Thursday afternoon.
Batts resigned earlier this week. At the time, he said he would continue on the job until mid-November. Batts said Thursday that plan is still in place, adding that he will spend the next month serving as a support for the new chief.
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City leaders said they hope to make a final decision on a replacement in January.
