After heading the Detroit Police Department on an interim basis for more than two months, James White, a 24-year Detroit police veteran, was named Monday as the city's 43rd police chief.

White, served as assistant chief from 2012 until August 2020, when he left to head the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. White, who also is a licensed mental health counselor, started as interim chief on June 1.

"Today's announcement is probably the worst-kept secret in town," said Mayor Mike Duggan at a press conference at Detroit Public Safety Headquarters. "Anybody in the city who has watched the way James White has handled himself in the last two months feels really good about the direction the Detroit Police Department is headed."

White said he was "humbled" by Duggan's announcement and vowed to work to drive down crime and work with community leaders, the Detroit News reports.

"Two things can be true at the same time: You can hold officers accountable, and you can support policing," White said. "I want you to know I'm going to support these officers, but I'll continue to require that there's a drive toward excellent policing."